Communication Office
PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Publication)
Thursday, 9 December 2021, Juba, South Sudan
TRANSITIONAL SECURITY ARRANGEMENTS REMAIN STALLED, FRUSTRATIONS GROWING
The delayed implementation of Transitional Security Arrangements, including the unification of forces and their redeployment, has contributed to growing frustrations amongst the people of South Sudan.
Speaking during its 20thmonthly meeting held in Juba yesterday, Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) Interim Chairperson Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said:
“We are now past the mid-way mark of the timeline of the Transitional Period. The Parties are far behind schedule in implementation of key tasks. As we close the year 2021, therefore, we need clarity from the Revitalised Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) on its plan for the implementation of the outstanding tasks in the coming 14 months.”
“It is now over two months since the Presidency directed the deployment of three assessment teams to training centers in preparation for the graduation of Phase 1 of the NUF (Necessary Unified Force). It is disheartening to see that this directive of the Presidency has not been carried out,” he added.
In his address, Maj. Gen. Gituai further expressed concerns that defections of senior military officials mainly from the SPLA-IO (Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition) to the SSPDF (South Sudan Peoples Defence Forces), “erode trust amongst the two parties and public confidence in the peace process.”
Regarding the living conditions of cantonmentsites and training centers, Maj. Gen. Gituai said the situation is “dire and that the occupants continue to abandon the sites in search of food and other essentials for survival.”
“The situation has undermined the morale of security forces cantoned or in training and risks eroding their trust in the political leadership of the country,” he said.
“I would like to remind us that this is the last meeting before we break for Christmas and the New Year. I hope that we will return with concrete plans and renewed vigour and determination to bring durable peace, stability and prosperity to the people and country of South Sudan,” he concluded.
ENDS
Communication Office
PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Publication)
Monday, 7 December 2021 , Juba, South Sudan
South Sudanese Generals, Ministers conclude post-conflict peacebuilding seminar in Rwanda
High-ranking military and political leaders from South Sudan on Friday, 3 December 2021 in Musanze, Rwanda, concluded a five-day post-conflict seminar organised by the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the Rwanda Peace Academy (RPA).
The seminar was aimed atidentifying challenges and opportunities for postconflict peace building, reconstruction and stabilisationin the Republic of South Sudan. It was also an effort to enhance trust and confidence amongst South Sudan leaders, while drawing on the unique experience of Rwanda in post-conflict resolution.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the workshop on behalf of the RJMEC Interim Chairperson, Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai, the RJMEC Deputy Chief of Staff-Strategy, Dr. Thomson Fontaine, called on the participants to now embark on a “renewed drive” towards the implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.
“Indeed, much remains to be done in restoring sustainable peace in South Sudan, but with your full involvement, and efforts to boldly confront the emerging challenges, I am confident that we will see the day when government structures are fully operational both at national and sub-national levels, unified national forces are deployed, constitution making process completed, refugees and the internally displaced have returned to their homes, transitional justice mechanisms become operational, economic and social reforms take root, and free and fair elections are held,” said Dr. Fontaine.
“By working together, the South Sudanese leaders will ensure that lasting peace and the consequent development and prosperity is realised in South Sudan,” the Deputy Chief of Staff- Strategy concluded.
This seminar, entitled the "Senior Leadership Post-Conflict Peace building, Reconstruction and Stabilization Course”,was the third seminar aimed at such high-level South Sudanese participants, with one held previously also in Musanze, and one in Nairobi.
ENDS
Communication Office
PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Publication)
Tuesday, 23 November 2021 , Juba, South Sudan
THE PACE OF IMPLEMENTATION OF R-ARCSS IS SLOW, AND TIME IS RUNNING OUT
The pace of implementation of the Revitalised Agreement of the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) is slow and time is running out with critical tasks lagging behind the agreed timelines, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has said.
Speaking during the 5thGovernors’ Forum held in Juba on Tuesday 23 November 2021, the RJMEC Interim Chairperson Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said despite progress insome thematic areas, challenges persist. Too much time has been lost. The pace of implementation is slow, and time is running out.
He added, “Over the last three years since the R-ARCSS was signed, some peace dividends have been realized across the country, but much remains to be done. Within the current timelines of the R-ARCSS, we have barely 15 months until the end of the Transitional Period and yet some very critical tasks remain outstanding.”
While detailing the status of implementation of the Agreement and noting significant progress in some thematic areas, Gen. Gituai recommended the RTGoNU to:
· fast-track ratification of all the approved bills, including the Permanent Constitution Making Process Bill 2021;
· finalise the nominations and the establishment of the ad-hocJudicial Reform Committee;
· make financial resources available for the completion of the Transitional Security Arrangements, including graduation and redeployment of unified forces, as well as for DDR programmes;
· urgently resolve the outstanding issues of the ratio of the unified forces and unified command structure of the Necessary Unified Forces;
· expedite the establishment of the Board of the Special Reconstruction Fund, in collaboration with the partners;
· expedite all the reforms required in Chapter 4, including the National Audit Chamber and the Anti-Corruption Commission; and
· fast-track implementation of Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 of the Peace Agreement.
The five-day 5thGovernors’ Forum was aimed at deliberating on the “Role of Sates and Administrative Areas in the Implementation of the Peace Agreement for a Peaceful, Prosperous South Sudan.”
ENDS
Communication Office
PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Publication)
Thursday, 28 October 2021, Juba, South Sudan
Reconstitute the State Legislatures to enable them to perform their subnational duties; Critical concern remains on the Transitional Security Arrangements
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) held its 19thmonthly meeting, today October 28, 2021 in Juba.
At the meeting, RJMEC Interim Chairperson Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai called on the RTGoNU (Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity) to expedite the reconstitution of the state legislaturesas stipulated in the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), in order to enable them perform their subnational duties.
“A properly functioning government requires the full cooperation of the three branches of government, the executive, the legislative and the judiciary, at both the national and subnational levels,” he said.
General Gituai reiterated his call for the RTGoNU to reconstitute the Commissions and Institutions, such as the National Audit Chamber and the Anti-Corruption Commission as per Articles 4.4 and 4.5 of the R-ARCSS at the national level, as envisaged in the Peace Agreement.
While the RJMEC Chair noted that some progress has been made in the areas of governance, economics, transitional justice, and the permanent constitution-making process, a critical concern remains on the Transitional Security Arrangements, especially the unification of forces, their redeployment and the DDR process, which he said, is the backbone of the Agreement.
He appealed to the leadership of the Parties to urgently resolve the issue of the ratio of the unified forces and the unified command structure of the Necessary Unified Forces (NUF).
According to UNOCHA (United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs), there are 700,000 people affected by flooding in 27 counties across eight states since May 2021, with the worst affected States reported as being Jonglei, Unity, Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Upper Nile.
“Over two-thirds of the flood-affected counties are confronted with high levels of food insecurity, poor access to basic services and face the threat of water borne diseases,”said Gen. Gituai.
“The scale of humanitarian need in South Sudan should focus our minds on the urgency of establishing the overdue Special Reconstruction Fund (SRF), which is clearly much needed. I urge the RTGoNU to work closely with international partners to establish the Board of the SRF without further delay,” he added.
Furthermore, General Gituai said, the safety of humanitarian workers remains a major concern, which, he added, involve violence and threats against personnel and assets,”
“I would like to urge the RTGoNU and all concerned parties to ensure the protection and safety of aid workers to enable the delivery of much needed humanitarian services,” he said.
He concluded, “I reiterate my concern that we are already behind the agreed timelines and the implementation schedule. According to the timelines of the Agreement, it is 16 months to the end of the Transitional Period. Despite all that has been achieved, a lot remains to be done.”
ENDS
Communication Office
PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Publication)
Thursday, 23 September 2021 , Juba, South Sudan
There must be urgency and collective efforts to address impediments, if progress on the R-ARCSS is to be sustained and accelerated
The Revitalised Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) met in Juba on Thursday 23 September, 2021.
In his address to the meeting, RJMEC Interim Chairperson Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai took stock of the progress made in the implemenation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ACRSS) over the last three years and outlined key challenges hampering its implementation.
Even though progress has been made in certain areas, the Interim Chairperson said, insufficient political will among the Parties, trust deficit and lack of confidence among the Parties including intra-Party disagreements and in-fighting, continue to undermine progress in the implementation of the Agreement generally.
At this point three years into the implementation of the R-ARCSS and roughly halfway through the Transitional Period, the Interim Chair said that missed timelines, delays and lack of prioritisation of key tasks, and inability of the Parties to sufficiently coordinate, cooperate, collaborate, compromise, and to forge consensus, hampers the implementation of the R-ACRSS. Furthermore, other challenges includes the lack of sufficient funding and resources that are needed.
On the Transitional Security Arrangement (TSAs), the Chairperson said that non-completion of the unification of forces, including no agreement so far on the command structure and force ratios, absence of any redeployment of the trained component of the Necessary Unified Forces (NUF) has contributed to the worsening security situation at the subnational level, compounds public frustration with the Parties, and undermines confidence in the peace process.
Maj. Gen. Charles Gituai has further urged the reconstituted Transitional Legislative National Assembly (TNLA) to “embark on their legislative and oversight functions, including expediting the enactment of pending bills.”
ENDS
Communication Office
PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Publication)
Tuesday, 3 August 2021 2021 , Juba, South Sudan
RJMEC welcomes the swearing in of the Transitional National Legislature
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) welcomes the swearing in of the members of the reconstituted Transitional National Leglislative Assembly (TNLA), and the Council of States of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) of the Republic of South Sudan, yesterday at Freedom Hall, in Juba. Furthermore, RJMEC welcomes the appointment of Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba and Hon. Deng Deng Akon as the Speaker of the reconstituted TNLA and of the Council of States, respectively.
It is encouraging to note that the Speaker of the reconstituted TNLA, and a Deputy Speaker of the Council of States are women. The appointment of women in these positions is a commendable step in line with the spirit of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
Taken together, these two bodies form the Transitional National Legislature (TNL). A legislature made up of members from the different Parties to the R-ARCSS and representing the diverse people of South Sudan performs vital tasks including making and debating legislation, and performing oversight tasks.
Much work awaits the members of the reconstituted TNLA and CoS, such as the ratification of the amended security bills and the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 8 (2020), which were drafted by the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) and presented to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
With the momentum created, RJMEC expects that the RTGoNU will now focus on the completion of the outstanding governance issues, including the reconstitution of the State Legislature, and the restructuring and reconstitution of Institutions and Commissions at the national level.
RJMEC urges the reconsituted TNLA to use its good offices to push forward the completion of the outstanding security issues, including the graduation and redployment of the unified forces.
RJMEC also urges that the necessary steps be taken by those repsonsible for the remaining members of the two bodies to be appointed and/or sworn in.
ENDS
Communication Office
PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Publication)
Thursday, 22 July 2021 , Juba, South Sudan
RJMEC convenes its 18thmonthly plenary, lack of implementation of Transitional Security Arrangements remains a critical concern
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) on Thursday 22 July 2021, held its 18thmonthly meeting in Juba, South Sudan.
During the meeting, RJMEC Interim Chairperson Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said that a lack of implementation of the Transitional Security Arrangements remains a “critical concern”.
“Even though some progress has been made in some areas of implementation of the (Peace) Agreement, a critical concern remains on the security arrangements, which is fundamental to the peace process.” General Gituai also appealed to the Parties to “urgently resolve the issue of the ratio of the unified forces and the unified command structure of the Necessary Unified Forces.”
The Interim Chairperson further urged the RTGoNU (Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity), “in the spirit of addressing the insecurity in the country”, to expedite the unification of forces and the Transitional Security Arrangements, and establish the state security committees.
“I urge the RTGoNU to make financial resources available for the completion of the Transitional Security Arrangements, including graduation and redeployment of unified forces,” he added.
Emphasising the importance of the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) and the Council of States, Maj. Gen. Gituai told the meeting that the swearing in of the members of these bodies should take place, while adhering to the 35% level of women representation and fair representation of the youth.
“This is important, particularly in the case of the TNLA because it should, upon commencement of its work, immediately ratify some important legislation that has been held up,” he said.
In his recommendations, the Interim Chairperson appealed to the Parties to the Agreement for continued dialogue and trust- and confidence-building among them on all unresolved issues, “with a greater show of political will and commitment.”
“With the memories of celebrating ten years of independence fresh in our minds, we note that the months of August and September mark the halfway point of the Transitional Period and the three years since the signing of the R-ARCSS respectively.”
“It is therefore imperative that the RTGoNU redoubles its efforts on the implementation of the remaining tasks that lay ahead of them,” he noted.
WORKSHOP ONTHE PERMANENT CONSTITUTION-MAKING PROCESSIN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN, 25-27 MAY 2021
“Designing the Path to a Durable Constitution
for South Sudan”
PRESS STATEMENT
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) announces the convening of a permanent Constitution-making process workshop from 25-27 May 2021 in Juba, Republic of South Sudan. The three-day workshop will start with an official opening by H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit on Tuesday 25 May 2021, at Freedom Hall, Juba, and will also be addressed by H.E. Dr. Mariam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi, Chairperson IGAD Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan.
This opening ceremony will be attended by over 250 invited guests, including the delegates to the workshop. This will be followed by two days of closed-door deliberations, at Palm Africa Hotel, from 26-27 May 2021 to be attended only by the nominees of the Parties and Stakeholders to the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). These are representatives of the Incumbent TGoNU; SPLM/A-IO; SSOA; FDs; OPP, Eminent Personalities; Faith-Based Leaders, Academic; Women’s groups; Youth; Civil Society and Business Community.
Convened by the RJMEC pursuant to Article 6.7 of the R-ARCSS, the workshop is meant for the Parties to the R-ARCSS to agree on the details of the Permanent Constitution-making process. Under Article 6.9 of the R-ARCSS, the outcome of the workshop shall form the basis for drafting the legislation to guide the Permanent Constitution-making process as outlined under Chapter 6 of the R-ARCSS. The workshop will be facilitated by the Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and Rule of Law, a Germany-based instituterenowned internationally for constitution-making, pursuant to Article 6.8 of the R-ARCSS. The outcome of the workshop will be presented to the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU), which will then embark on a process of Constitution-making.
The RJMEC is the official oversight body under the R-ARCSS established pursuant to Chapter 7 of the R-ARCSS to monitor, evaluate and oversee the implementation of the R-ARCSS, and the mandate and tasks of the RTGoNU and all institutions and mechanisms established by the Revitalised Peace Agreement.The Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law is an independent and not-for-profit legal research institute with long experience in constitution-making processes worldwide. Its engagements in South Sudan’s constitutional work date back to (the then) Southern Sudan in 2002. The Max Planck Foundation has been actively supporting the rule of law sector in South Sudan for the past 19 years.
For further information, please visit www.jmecsouthsudan.organd www.mpfpr.de.
|
|
|
|
Communication Office
PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Publication)
Wednesday, 31 March 2021 , Juba, South Sudan
RECONSTITUTE TNLA AND ADHERE TO THE 35% LEVEL OF WOMEN’S REPRESENTATION
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has called for the quick reconstitution of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), while urging the Parties to the Agreement to adhere to the 35% level of women’s representation in the appointments to it.
In a statement to the RJMEC members delievered electronically, the Interim Chairperson H.E. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said,
“A reconstituted TNLA is required to enact a range of legislations critical to the ongoing implementation of the R-ARCSS. I appeal to the RTGoNU (Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity), to reconstitute the assembly to enable the enactment of the Bills into law, and expedite judicial reforms.”
Furthermore, he added, “there is a clear need for more women to be appointed at all levels of government, especially at the state executive and legislative positions.”
On the security sector reforms, Maj. Gen. Gituai said “cantonment sites and training centers continue to face serious logistical constraints, such as food, medicines and sufficient shelter, which are lacking, and female combatants continue to lack appropriate facilities and personal hygiene items.”
“Training of the Necessary Unified Forces (NUF) has stalled, and no graduation or redeployment plans have been announced. The lack of sufficient funding to the Security Mechanisms is a constraint,” he said.
The Interim Chairperson also said the humanitarian situaiton in South Sudan is dire, as a result of multiple factors, including widespread sub-national violence, floods, COVID-19 related restrictions, economic challenges and acute food insecurity, impacting humanitarian movement and operations, threatening the safety of staff and assets.
“It is the responsibility of the RTGoNU, as per article 1.2.2, to restore permanent and sustainable peace, security, and stability, and I call upon the Central and State Governments to work jointly with local leaders and curb the violence. The operationalisation of the State Security Committees will be instrumental is alleviating the situation,” he said.
As we proceed into Easter, Maj. Gen. Gituai said, “I hope that we all use this time as a period of reflection so that when we return from the break, we are inspired to pick up the pace of implementation of the R-ARCSS and build momentum towards its full implementation in letter and spirit.
“Three months from now, July, marks ten years of independence for South Sudan, and now is the time to accelerate the implementation of the Agreement so that there will be much to celebrate in a decade of independence,” he added.
ENDS
Communication Office
PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Publication)
Thursday, 04 February 2021 , Juba, South Sudan
Transitional Security Arrangements underpin stable, secure South Sudan; slow pace of peace implementation concerning
The full implementation of the Transitional Security Arrangements (TSA) as set out in the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) is intended to underpin a stable and secure future for the people of South Sudan, but the slow pace of implementation is concerning.
Speaking during the 16thReconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) monthly meeting in Juba on Thursday 4 February 2021, Interim Chairperson Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai reiterated that implementation of the TSA as envisaged in the R-ARCSS is vital. However, he told the meeting that “no progress is reported on the training, graduation and redeployment of Necessary Unified Forces (NUF) under Phase I.” He warned that “protracted delays and passing of time without progress is detrimental to lasting peace in South Sudan.”
Outstanding issues, he conitnued, include the establishment of a unified command structure for the NUF (Necessary Unified Force), and addressing the ‘ranking’ (of personnel) process and the management of excess senior officers.
Reporting to the meeting about a recent visit to training sites for the NUF, the RJMEC Interim Chairperson said: “It was disheartening to observe that a lack of food and other essential resources, such as medicines, shelter and separate facilities for women, has led to the suffering of the trainees, and to some trainees abandoning the training centres.” Gen. Gituai urged the RTGoNU to avail the necessary resources for the implementation of the Peace Agreement, including the TSA.
In addition, the Interim Chairperson raised concerns about insufficient women’s representation as required in the Revitalised Peace Agreement, urging the Parties to expedite the appointment of all personnel to the government structures at the sub-national level, while observing the 35% level for women’s representation.
Further, the Interim Chairperson called for continued focus on the investigation, arrest, prosecution and sentencing of perpetrators of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) crimes, as well as continued training and sensitisation on SGBV issues within the Organised Forces.
In his recommedations to the meeting, the Interim Chairperson called on the ITGoNU (Incumbent Transitional Government of National Unity), SPLM/A-IO, SSOA (South Sudan Opposition Alliance) and OPP (Other Political Parties) to submit their nominations to National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC).
This is in order to facilitate the reconstitution of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) and the Council of States, while observing the 35% level for women’s representation. He also appealed to the ITGoNU to “submit the list of its representatives to the permanent constitutional process workshop to facilitate timely planning and its convening without delay.”
Finally, as the country looks forward to marking ten years of independence for South Sudan on 9 July 2021, the Interim Chairperson said: “It is incumbent on all of us to push hard on the implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement so that the ten-year celebrations will mark not only the milestone of a decade of independence, but also significant progress in the implementation of the Peace Agreement.”
ENDS