Ethiopia welcomes extension of South Sudan transitional period

JUBA – The government of Ethiopia on Friday welcomed the extension, by South Sudan parties, of the transitional period through February 2025.

On Thursday, President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his first deputy Dr. Riek Machar Teny extended the lifespan of their government for at least 24 months, arguing that the remaining months of the transitional period are not enough for implementation of the remaining tasks.

While the international community seems to be against the extension of the transitional period, the Ethiopian foreign ministry said in a statement this afternoon that they have received the news of the extension of the transitional period.

“The Government of Ethiopia has learnt on August 4, 2022, the news of the extension of the transitional period in the Republic of South Sudan for an additional 24 months with the aim of successfully completing the pending outstanding tasks outlined in the Peace Agreement,” the statement reads in part.

“The decision to extend the transitional period is believed to be based on an objective assessment of the situation on the ground in the Republic of South Sudan,” the statement added.

The statement said that the decision by the South Sudan parties to reach consensus on the extension of the transitional period is commendable and expressed confidence that the parties would use the extension to implement the remaining tasks of the transitional period.

“The consultative process followed by South Sudanese stakeholders to achieve this outcome through consensus is commendable. The Ethiopian Government is confident that this wisdom and spirit of compromise will continue to guide expeditious implementation of the remaining tasks of the Transitional Period,” the statement said.

“Ethiopia, as usual, will stand with the Republic of South Sudan in its effort to chart the best way forward to ensure the sustainable peace and prosperity of the brotherly people of South Sudan,” the statement further added.