South Africa pledges ongoing support for South Sudan’s journey towards peace, democracy, and development, declared Dr. Naledi Pandor, the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation. Speaking on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa during his official visit to the Northeast African nation, Pandor expressed solidarity with South Sudan’s leadership and citizens during this critical phase of their history.
Commending South Sudan for the landmark Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) signed in 2018, Pandor highlighted its pivotal role in ending years of conflict that threatened the nation’s stability and prosperity.
[WATCH]: @DIRCO_ZA Minister Naledi Pandor delivers remarks on behalf of HE President @CyrilRamaphosa on conclusion of the working visit to South Sudan.#SAinSouthSudan 🇿🇦🇸🇸 pic.twitter.com/PwzdQtIyfK
— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) April 18, 2024“As we mark five years since the signing of this peace agreement, we note the significant progress made. The ceasefire remains intact, reducing threats to the nation’s peace and stability. With ongoing efforts to establish unified security forces, we anticipate further improvements in the security landscape,” Pandor remarked.
Anticipating national elections in the post-transitional period, Pandor stressed their importance as a crucial step towards democracy. She acknowledged the ongoing dialogue among parties to ensure the credibility of the elections, emphasizing the need to address outstanding provisions of the Revitalised Agreement, including the adoption of a permanent constitution and security arrangements.
While commending progress in implementing the R-ARCSS, Pandor highlighted the need for continued dialogue and consensus-building to address remaining challenges. She affirmed South Africa’s unwavering support for South Sudan during this transitional phase, pledging assistance to ensure a peaceful and democratic transition.
“In solidarity with the people of South Sudan, South Africa stands ready to provide support within our means to facilitate a successful conclusion to the transitional period,” concluded Minister Pandor.