In his address delivered virtually from Juba, Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said:

“In RJMEC’s assessment, the tasks most critical for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections under the Revitalized Peace Agreement are the unification of forces and their redeployment, enactment of the permanent constitution, review of political parties and electoral related laws, and reconstitution of the Political Parties Council and the National Elections Commission.”

He added, “I wish to underscore the importance of a people-led and people-owned Permanent Constitution, which will be the cornerstone of the state of South Sudan, preparing” the way for a democratic transition through free, fair and credible elections.” 

While noting some progress has been achieved since the signing of the Revitilised Agreement in 2018, Gen. Gituai highlighted “several recurring challenges facing it”. 

“The challenges include lack of sufficient resources, insufficient political will and commitment of some actors, trust deficit amongst the Parties; capacity gaps, subnational violence and activities of the holdout groups, military defections from one signatory party to another, flooding and the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said. 

Given these challenges facing the implementation, the critical tasks pending, and the Agreement timeline nearing expiry (in Feb 2023), RJMEC Chairperson said,  the Commission has tasked the Revitalised Unity Government to develop a clear roadmap and strategy within the framework of the Revitalised Peace Agreement on how to implement the outstanding critical tasks as the end of the Transitional Period approaches. 

“The roadmap should be consensus-based, with verifiable benchmarks and timelines,” he said. In closing, the Chaiperson made the following recommendations to the UN Security Council: 

a)    actively engage the Revitalised Unity Government to ensure implementation of the critical outstanding tasks, especially the unification of forces and the permanent constitution making process, both tasks fundamental to the holding of free, fair and credible elections;

b)    encourage the Revitalised Unity Government to reconcile their inter-party differences and to work collegially in the best interests of South Sudan and its people;

c)    assist the Revitalised Unity Government’s efforts in mobilising resources from the international community to enhance implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement;

d)    support the Revitalised Unity Government to establish the Special Reconstruction Fund, and convene a South Sudan Pledging Conference to provide support to conflict-affected states and communities, as provided for in the Agreement; and

e)    continue supporting the full implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement and the conduct of free, fair and credible elections.