A delegation of South Sudanese women mediators has met with the SPLM-IO opposition leadership in Juba as part of renewed efforts to break the stalemate undermining the country’s fragile peace process.

The discussions, held on Tuesday, focused on reviving the 2018 revitalised peace agreement, which has faced repeated disputes and breaches, slowing preparations for national elections.

SPLM-IO officials, aligned with suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, described the meeting as “very productive” and reiterated their commitment to a “South Sudanese-to-South Sudanese dialogue.”

The women’s mediation initiative—coordinated by the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) with backing from UN Women—brings together mediators from multiple professions and sectors.

The talks come amid heightened political tension. Dr. Machar is currently on trial for treason, and the opposition insists that his unconditional release, along with that of other detained SPLM-IO members, is essential before any meaningful political negotiations can move forward.

‘We are fully committed’

Following the meeting, senior SPLM-IO figure Yolanda Awel Deng praised the mediators and religious leaders for facilitating the dialogue.

“We are in this process 100%,” said Deng, who previously served as health minister. “We support a South Sudanese-led dialogue to ensure our country returns to full peace.”

However, she stressed a non-negotiable condition: “We need the unconditional release of His Excellency the First Vice President and all SPLM-IO leaders currently detained.”

Deng said that freeing the detained officials would open the way for high-level talks involving the president and other peace stakeholders, ultimately helping the country move out of its prolonged transition and toward elections.

Mediators push for wider engagement

Tuesday’s session marked the beginning of a series of consultations the women’s mediation team plans to hold with the various parties to the peace deal.

Florence Agiba of the South Sudan Women Mediators described the meeting as “a very constructive deliberation.”

“We’ve agreed to continue this dialogue and will hold more sessions throughout the week,” she said, noting that the team aims to support and accelerate the implementation of the peace agreement.

The mediators hope to bring all signatories to the negotiating table to revive the peace process and clear the way for long-delayed elections.

“We are looking forward to other signatories joining us in these discussions,” Agiba added.

The 2018 agreement, which ended a devastating civil war that killed nearly 400,000 people, remains only partially implemented, contributing to ongoing political and security uncertainty in the world’s youngest nation.