By Deng Machol
JUBA— Western diplomatic missions on Friday warned that South Sudan’s transitional government risks undermining its legitimacy by pushing amendments to the 2018 peace agreement outside agreed procedures, deepening tensions in a fragile political environment already shadowed by fears of renewed conflict.
In a joint statement, the embassies of Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union delegation reaffirmed that the 2018 accord remains the sole basis for the legitimacy of the transitional government.
“We remain committed to supporting South Sudan’s path to sustainable peace, butthe 2018 peace agreement remains the only basis for legitimacy of the South Sudanese transitional government,” the statement said.
“Any changes to that agreement must be in line with the procedures set out in the 2018 peace agreement.”
The diplomats—many of whom are key financial supporters of South Sudan’s peace process—also backed concerns raised by the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), which oversees implementation of the agreement.
They rejected government claims that the proposed constitutional and electoral reforms were based on broad political consensus, arguing that key stakeholders had been excluded from consultations.
“It is illogical to suggest that there have been inclusive consultations without the participation of Riek Machar, the head of the second largest party in the country,” the statement added.
The warning comes as the government advances controversial amendments that would decouple national elections
