Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Thursday, 02 March, Juba, South Sudan

WITH THE BEGINNING OF 24-MONTH EXTENDED TRANSITIONAL PERIOD, IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ROADMAP LAGS BEHIND, A LOT REMAINS TO BE DONE

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) on Thursday 2 March 2023 convened its 27th monthly meeting in Juba. As the 24-month extension of the Transitional Period begins, RJMEC Chairperson Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai told the meeting: 

“It is expected that there will be renewed focus on the timely implementation of the critical pending tasks of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), dedicated funding by the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) going forward, unity of purpose, and a sense of urgency in order to deliver on the promises of the Roadmap towards peaceful and democratic elections in December 2024.” 

In his detailed assessment of implementation, Amb. Gituai said that “critical timelines have been missed in the implementation of governance tasks of the Roadmap.” 

He continued: “For example, according to the Roadmap, by now both the Political Parties Council and the National Elections Commission should have been reconstituted. These are two critical bodies required for the process of conducting credible elections. Further, the restructuring and reconstitution of the various commissions and institutions at national level should also have been completed by now.”

“There is urgent need for all of us, starting with the RTGoNU (Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity), to take concrete and deliberate steps to expedite implementation of the critical pending tasks as per the Roadmap,” he added.

Additionally, Amb. Gituai commended the Presidency for the recent resolution of the contentious issue of the power of arrest and detention by the National Security Service, which he said, delayed the passage of the National Security Service Bill.

“The spirit of this compromise is a valuable example which I hope can help guide the ongoing implementation of the Roadmap.” Amb. Gituai also welcomed the recent accession by the President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, to, among others, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the Protocol to The African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa. 

“The accession to these and other international and regional treaties are critical to the safeguarding of the fundamental human rights of the people of South Sudan. Their operationalisation will be important as the extension period proceeds.” 

In his address, Amb. Gituai commended the President, and the First Vice President, for their recent meetings with IDPs, saying this draws much-needed attention to the plight of the IDPs. “Both leaders emphasised the need for forgiveness, reconciliation and promoting the spirit of unity. These are key messages for two leaders to take around the country as the RTGoNU prepares for elections.” 

“It is encouraging to note that there are plans to provide security and basic services at the IDPs points of return as these are critical to the reintegration and the rebuilding of IDPs and returnees’ livelihoods,” he added.

In his conclusion, he said, “Given the time pressures in the Roadmap, I call upon the RTGoNU to demonstrate its ownership of the process and its commitment by availing the requisite resources to the implementing mechanisms and institutions in a clear and predictable manner.”

FULL STATEMENT: http://bit.ly/3kzlvv3 

ENDS