Office of the First Vice President - Republic of South Sudan

Press Release: Clarification on SPLM/A-IO Participation in Peace Implementation Mechanisms.

H.E. the First Vice President Receives a Letter from His Holiness Pope Francis

Friday, March 14, 2025 - H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, received a letter this afternoon in his office from His Holiness Pope Francis of the Catholic Church, Vatican. The letter was delivered to H.E. Dr. Machar by the Pope's Representative, Archbishop Seamus P. Horgan, the Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan.

The meeting discussed various topics pertaining to the Revitalized Agreement, including the situations in Upper Nile and Western Equatoria states, and the general security situation in the country.

H.E. the First Vice President briefed Pope Francis' Representative on the progress made thus far in the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement and the challenges facing its implementation.

H.E. Dr. Machar received the letter with an open heart and said, "I will always remember the profound humility manifested by His Holiness Francis and the love he has for the people of South Sudan during the retreat in Rome, Italy." H.E. the First Vice President added, "One will always remember the pledges we made before His Holiness Pope Francis to maintain peace, unity, and reconciliation among our people."

H.E. the First Vice President reiterated his commitment to the Revitalized Peace Agreement and pointed out that we shall overcome all the incidents that have occurred in order to maintain peace and stability for the country's best interests.

The letter from His Holiness contains messages of peace, reconciliation, and forgiveness among the people of South Sudan and urges the country's political leaders to embrace the spirit of forgiveness towards one another and develop the young nation.

His Holiness also urged the people and leaders alike to turn a page on conflict and forge new paths for peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

Briefing the media after the meeting, His Grace Archbishop Seamus P. Horgan said he came to convey Pope Francis' message to H.E. Dr. Machar through the Secretary of State of the Vatican, encouraging dialogue and forgiveness as the only means to bring about sustainable peace in the country.

H.E. the First Vice President Discusses Implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement with Norwegian Ambassador

Friday, March 14, 2025 - H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, met this afternoon in his office with H.E. Ambassador Roar Haugsdal, the Norwegian Ambassador to South Sudan.

The meeting focused on the progress of the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and the challenges hindering its implementation.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Amb. Haugsdal stated that he met with H.E. the First Vice President to discuss the current situation in South Sudan. He called for direct dialogue between the two principals of the Revitalised Peace Agreement and urged all parties to prioritize open communication aimed at consolidating peace and working towards de-escalating the situation in the country.

Press Release
10 March 2025

On SSPDF Accusations Against the First Vice President of Blocking their Scattered Soldiers

It has come to our attention that Lt. Gen. James Koang Chuol, Assistant CDF for Training, and Maj. Gen. L*l Ruai Koang, SSPDF Spokesperson, during a press conference on Monday in Bilpham, accused the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan and Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of the SPLM/SPLA-IO, H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, of blocking SSPDF plans to evacuate their scattered forces in Akobo County of Jonglei State.

We would like to categorically refute these baseless accusations, which are a complete misrepresentation of the facts.

To clarify the situation, the SSPDF soldiers in question numbered five. Sadly, one of these five soldiers died en route. The remaining soldiers, led by an officer named Garang Wol, fled to Buong, in Akobo West, following the incident in Wech-Yar-Adiu in Nasir.

Upon their arrival in the area, SSPDF soldiers communicated their presence to the First Vice President through the Buong Payam administrator. Subsequently, the First Vice President contacted Maj. Gen. James Utong Liah, Commander of SPLA-IO Division 8, informed him of the SSPDF soldiers and directed him to provide them with protection.

Demonstrating good faith and commitment to cooperation, General James Utong Liah, offered to es**rt the stranded SSPDF soldiers to Walgak, from where they could be transferred to Wat, the nearest SSPDF station. However, the SSPDF soldiers declined this offer and instead opted to remain in Buong and await evacuation to Juba from that location.

So, these SSPDF soldiers are currently in Buong by their own choice, where they are being hosted by local residents and are under the protection of the SPLA-IO.

Furthermore, the First Vice President has been actively engaged in efforts to locate scattered SSPDF soldiers and officers in Nasir and Ulang counties, with the intention of facilitating their transportation to Juba. To date, we have located approximately 108 officers, NCOs, and men who are being sheltered by local communities, primarily in Ulang County. Two wounded soldiers, accompanied by three others, were successfully flown to Juba yesterday, March 9, 2025, for medical treatment. We anticipate that further soldiers will emerge from hiding as these search efforts continue.

It is crucial to acknowledge the remarkable role of local communities, including the youth, in providing shelter and assistance to these soldiers.

We call upon the SSPDF to prioritize de-escalation and work collaboratively to resolve this situation constructively.

Puok Both Baluang
Ag. Press Secretary,
Office of the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, and Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of SPLM/SPLA-IO

Press Release on the Incident in Wech-Yar-Adiu, Nasir County in Upper Nile State.

NB: The attached photos depict SPLA-IO officers carrying Maj. Gen. Majur Dak to a UN aircraft before the outbreak of gunfire earlier today.

First Vice President Meets with DDR Commission Chairperson

Tuesday, February 25, 2025 - H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, held a meeting in his office with the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) Commission team, led by its Chairperson, Hon. Ayuen Alier, and Deputy Chairperson, Hon. Regina Joseph Kapa.

The team briefed the First Vice President on DDR activities, encompassing various categories of beneficiaries, including ex-combatants (both male and female), individuals with physical disabilities, and others with special needs.

The meeting also explored critical matters such as community violence reduction, community security initiatives, small arms control, the National Youth Service Corps, and the Work Brigade Reintegration Strategy for ex-combatants.

"We should not use the military to conduct disarmament. Instead, we should train youth and devise collaborative approaches for them to undertake disarmament themselves," stated the First Vice President.

The meeting emphasized that neither partial nor forceful disarmament would effectively stabilize the situation. Disarmament efforts should be carried out simultaneously in all hotspot areas across South Sudan.

Briefing the media after the meeting, Hon. Alier stated that discussions focused on DDR and its role in Community Violence Reduction to stabilize the security situation in the country.

The DDR Commission is one of the important commissions prescribed in the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

First Vice President Receives UNICEF Delegation

Thursday, February 20, 2025 – The First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon received a UNICEF delegation led by Ms. Noala Skinner, UNICEF Country Representative, in a meeting held today.

The UNICEF delegation paid a courtesy visit to H.E. the First Vice President to discuss UNICEF's program of cooperation with the government, focusing on child protection, health, education, the establishment of a National Youth Service Corps, and statistics.

Following the meeting, Ms. Skinner addressed the media, emphasizing that discussions centered on foundational learning and second-chance education for adolescents.

The UNICEF representative also stated that they discussed water sanitation, including the response to the recent cholera outbreak in South Sudan. She added that they discussed the importance of data surveys and UNICEF's support for the National Bureau of Statistics.

Ms. Noala Skinner concluded by stating that they addressed issues related to child protection, including support for children and vulnerable adolescents.

First Vice President Briefed on Flood Mitigation Efforts in Affected States

Monday, February 3, 2025 – His Excellency Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan and Chairperson of the National Water Committee, convened a meeting this morning at his office with the Hon. Pal Mai Deng, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, and representatives from key partner organizations: the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the World Food Programme (WFP).

The meeting focused on a comprehensive review of flood mitigation initiatives and community-based projects implemented by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation and its development partners in Jonglei, Unity, and Upper Nile States.

IOM and WFP representatives presented an overview of their 2024 program activities, strategically designed to enhance community resilience and support flood mitigation strategies. They detailed their collaborative efforts with government institutions, highlighting initiatives such as land reclamation through d**e construction in Unity State, improvements to local infrastructure, and critical interventions aimed at preserving livelihoods for affected populations.

Furthermore, the partners outlined their 2025 work plan, which prioritizes flood-affected areas, with particular focus on Duk and Twic East counties of Jonglei State, ensuring targeted and effective interventions.

This meeting underscores the government’s continued commitment to addressing the challenges of flooding in South Sudan and to fostering collaborative partnerships with international organizations to protect vulnerable communities.

First Vice President and Norwegian Envoy Discuss Revitalized Peace Agreement and Regional Stability

Tuesday, January 28, 2025 – H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, met this morning in his office with H.E. Endre Stiansen, Norwegian Envoy to the Horn of Africa.

The meeting focused on matters related to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS). Discussions encompassed key aspects such as the constitution-making process, voter registration, a population census, the repatriation of refugees, and electoral security, among other electoral prerequisites outlined in the 2018 Peace Agreement. The final status of Abyei was also addressed.

Furthermore, the meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on regional peace and stability, with particular emphasis on the ongoing conflict in neighboring Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). They explored viable pathways toward achieving a ceasefire and fostering sustainable peace in Sudan. H.E. Dr. Machar urged the warring factions to fully utilize the Jeddah negotiations, emphasizing that it is the ideal forum for peacefully resolving the conflict in neighboring Sudan.

Following the meeting, H.E. Endre Stiansen stated in a media briefing that the discussions with the First Vice President covered a wide range of issues, including the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, the status of Abyei, and the situation in Sudan. He reiterated Norway's commitment to partnering with the government and people of South Sudan in their pursuit of achieving lasting peace in the country.

Governance Cluster Endorses Key Legislative Acts and Abyei Referendum Resolution

Wednesday, January 15, 2025 – In extraordinary meeting No. 01/2025, chaired by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, the Governance Cluster deliberated upon and endorsed two memos submitted by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Justice Ruben Madol Arol. The endorsed memos pertain to the operationalisation of the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing Act, 2024, and the Compensation and Reparation Authority Act, 2024, as well as the adoption process for the Abyei Ngok Community Referendum held on October 31, 2013.

The Governance Cluster formally confirmed and adopted the recommendations from its previous meeting, No. 05/2024, held on Tuesday, November 19, 2024.

The Cluster further endorsed the operationalisation of the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing Act, 2024, and the Compensation and Reparation Authority Act, 2024. These acts are designed to address the legacy of past conflicts and promote peace, national reconciliation, and reparations. Specifically, they aim to identify aggrieved persons eligible for reparations and establish the necessary funding mechanisms.

Following a legal opinion presented by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, as formally requested by the First Vice President, regarding the legality of the Abyei Ngok Community Referendum, the Cluster endorsed the results of the Abyei Ngok Community Referendum held on October 31, 2013. Furthermore, the Cluster recommends that the Government of South Sudan engage with regional and international stakeholders involved in resolving the final status of the Abyei Area, such as the African Union, the United Nations, and other relevant parties, to recognise the referendum results as a basis for determining the final status of Abyei.

The Governance Cluster will submit both memos to the Council of Ministers for their consideration.

First Vice President and UNMISS Chief Discuss R-ARCSS Implementation and Tumaini Peace Initiative

Monday, January 6, 2025 - The First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, held a meeting today with Mr. Nicholas Haysom, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan and head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The discussions focused on the implementation progress of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), the final status of Abyei, and the Tumaini Peace Initiative.

Following the meeting, Mr. Haysom addressed the media, highlighting the importance of simultaneous progress on both the R-ARCSS and the Tumaini Initiative. He emphasized that both tracks are crucial for achieving lasting and inclusive peace in South Sudan.

Mr. Haysom further stated that the meeting also addressed key challenges facing the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement, specifically the obstacles surrounding the completion of the constitution-making process.

First Vice President Receives Abyei Referendum Endorsement Report

Friday, January 3, 2025 - H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan and Chair of the Governance Cluster, today met with a delegation from the Abyei Administrative Area, led by Chief Administrator H.E. Dr. Chol Deng Alak, to discuss the Abyei protocol and its final status.

A key focus of the meeting was the official handover of the Abyei government’s endorsement report for the Abyei Area community referendum, which took place in October 2013. This referendum addressed the final status of Abyei.

The First Vice President formally received the endorsement report and committed to forwarding it to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. Subsequently, the report will be presented as a memo to the Governance Cluster, the Cabinet, and the National Legislative Assembly for deliberation and endorsement.

The Abyei Administrative Assembly officially endorsed the referendum results on December 27, 2024. This endorsement was made in line with the resolutions of the Governor's Forum held in Juba in December 2024.

In addition to Dr. Chol Deng Alak, attendees at the meeting included Hon. Deng Alor Kuol, Minister of East African Community; members from the National Assembly and Council of State; members of the National Committee for the Final Status of Abyei; Speaker of the Abyei Administrative Assembly; other regional government officials; and members of the Ngok-Dinka Community.