Pretoria Agreement

The Pretoria Agreement: A Step Towards Peace and Stability in South Sudan

The Pretoria Agreement, also known as the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, was a treaty signed on August 5, 2015, between the warring factions of South Sudan. The agreement aimed to end the armed conflict that had been ravaging the country since December 2013, which had claimed the lives of thousands of people and displaced millions.

The signing of the Pretoria Agreement was considered a significant breakthrough in the South Sudanese peace process. It was the result of months of negotiations facilitated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional organization composed of East African countries. The agreement was signed by the government and opposition groups, including the Sudan People`s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by Riek Machar.

The Pretoria Agreement addressed several critical issues that were at the root of the conflict. These included security arrangements, power-sharing, and governance, as well as issues related to justice and accountability. It also provided for the formation of a Transitional Government of National Unity (TGNU), which was to oversee the implementation of the agreement and lead the country to peaceful and stable elections by 2018.

However, the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement faced significant challenges. The ceasefire was violated within hours of its signing, and the parties continued to engage in fighting. The TGNU formation was delayed, and the parties disagreed on the allocation of positions in the government. The humanitarian situation continued to deteriorate, and the country faced a severe economic crisis.

Despite these challenges, the Pretoria Agreement remains a critical document in the South Sudanese peace process. It provided a framework for the peace talks that ensued and paved the way for subsequent agreements, such as the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan. The signing of the Pretoria Agreement also demonstrated the willingness of the parties to negotiate and find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

In conclusion, the Pretoria Agreement was a critical step towards peace and stability in South Sudan. Although its implementation faced significant challenges, it remains an essential document in the country`s peace process. The parties must continue to honor their commitments under the agreement and work towards a lasting peace that addresses the root causes of the conflict and provides for the needs of the South Sudanese people.