Briefing Paper

The Revitalization of the ARCSS and the Prospects for Peace in South Sudan

This policy paper evaluates the prospects of peace in South Sudan within the context of the recently proposed revitalization process of the 2015 political pact. The paper broadly argues that the revitalization process is important, but it must contend with factors that led to the collapse of the original agreement. Highlighting this, the brief discusses how the design of the security arrangements and transitional justice mechanisms in the ARCSS might have led to the faltering of security and stability in the country. A new approach to the mediation process, which puts primacy on constructive diplomacy and provision of incentives to the parties and the combatants, and the need to
popularize the agreement among the citizens to embrace the peace agreement, is suggested.