PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Thursday, 24 March 2022, Juba, South Sudan

RJMEC CONCERNED WITH CLASHES; EMPHASISES INCLUSIVE DIALOGUE WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE R-ARCSS AS THE ONLY WAY OF RESOLVING DISAGREEMENTS  

RJMEC held a meeting of its members on Thursday, 24 March 2022 in Juba. Addressing to the participants about the security situation, Interim Chairperson Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said:

“I am concerned by the reports of an increasing number of clashes taking place between SPLA-IO forces and defectors to the SSPDF in Upper Nile and Unity States, including in training centres. We have tasked CTSAMVM to further investigate these clashes.” 

He continued: “I would like to stress that each training centre is a symbol of the unity which is being forged through creating a unified force, and any threat to this is unacceptable. Such divisive activities complicate the unification process, lower morale and breed mistrust among troops. A unified force depends on cohesiveness for its ability to function as a professional force.”

Maj. Gen. Gituai urged the RTGoNU to complete the Transitional Security Arrangements, including resolving the issues of unified command and force ratios, and redeployment of unified forces.

Referring to the suspension earlier this week of the SPLM/A-IO of their participation in R-ARCSS Security Mechanisms, and RJMEC meetings, the Interim Chair said:  

“RJMEC has taken note of all the concerns raised by the SPLM/A-IO. It is encouraging to note that SPLM/A-IO has reiterated its continuous commitment to the full implementation of the R-ARCSS and is willing to be available to discuss these issues with RJMEC. 

“I would like to emphasise that the full engagement of all the Parties and inclusive dialogue within the framework of the R-ARCSS is the only way of resolving disagreements.”  

The RJMEC Chair revealed that he has invited the concerned Parties to a meeting tomorrow 25 March 2022, to discuss these issues.  

The RJMEC Chair reiterating his appeal for the presentation of the roadmap and strategy to be developed by the RTGoNU which should, among other things, set out the tasks most critical for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections, given the dwindling time left to implement the Peace Agreement. 

RJMEC Chair concluded by reminding the participants of the Signatory Parties’   commitment, expressed in the Preamble of the Agreement, “to lay the foundation for a united, peaceful and prosperous society based on justice, equality, respect for human rights and the rule of law.”