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  • STATEMENT BY H.E. AMB. LT. GEN. AUGOSTINO S.K. NJOROGE INTERIM CHAIRPERSON, RJMEC TO THE 9TH RJMEC MONTHLY MEETING, THURSDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER, 2019, JUBA SOUTH SUDAN.n

STATEMENT BY H.E. AMB. LT. GEN. AUGOSTINO S.K. NJOROGE INTERIM CHAIRPERSON, RJMEC TO THE 9TH RJMEC MONTHLY MEETING, THURSDAY, 12 SEPTEMBER, 2019, JUBA SOUTH SUDAN.n

Friday, 13 September 2019 07:24

Honourable Ministers,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning.

  1. I welcome all of you to the 9th RJMEC meeting. This meeting marks exactly one year since the signing of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, which is a laudable achievement, not least because of the silencing of the guns across the country, but this also presented a real opportunity to end the conflict in South Sudan permanently. In the past 12 months, we have witnessed constructive engagement of the Parties in implementing the Peace Agreement, which has rekindled hope of attaining sustainable peace in the country.

  2. However, today we have only two months to the end of the extended Pre-Transitional Period, and much remains to be done. We must therefore redouble our efforts to accomplish all the outstanding Pre- Transitional tasks within this remaining short time.

  3. In my statement this morning, I will provide an update on the progress of implementation of the Pre-Transitional tasks since we last met, including a review of the status of the resolutions of the last meeting, the recurring challenges, and then I will conclude with some recommendations.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

  1. To begin with, an update on the progress of implementation of the Pre-Transitional tasks. You will recall that the last time we met, I expressed concern at the slow pace of implementation. This slow progress was partly the reason why IGAD invited the Parties to the Agreement to Addis Ababa for urgent consultations on 21st August 2019. However, I am pleased to report that the pace has since picked up.

  2. Regarding the transitional security arrangements, I am happy to report that at long last, some cantonment sites have become operational, and I want to commend the Parties, the Joint Defence Board (JDB), the Joint Military Ceasefire Commission (JMCC), and the Joint Transitional Security Committee (JTSC) for this milestone. I am aware that the JDB continues to put in place the necessary framework for cantonment of all forces, and the JMCC continues to prepare the remaining cantonment sites. The JTSC is also making progress in preparing the designated 18 training sites. That said, time is running out and much still remains to be done if 50 per cent of the 83,000 Necessary Unified Forces are to be cantoned, selected and in training by 30 September 2019. I urge the JDB to provide leadership in planning and coordination in order to ensure expeditious and concurrent implementation of the cantonment and training of forces.

  3. I am happy to report that the expected in-kind support from the AU Commission arrived in Juba, and I wish to commend AU Commission for fulfilling its pledge of delivering the materials and Ambassador Joram Biswaro for coordinating the delivery. Similarly, I wish to thank the government of the People’s Republic of China for providing 1500 tons of rice, and the government of the Arab Republic of Egypt for providing medical supplies.

  1. As implementation of the Peace Agreement is mainly the responsibility of the Parties to the Agreement, I would like to underline the importance of the timely and predictable disbursement of the $100 million for the cantonment, training, and unification of the NUF to be completed by 11th November.

  2. I once again reiterate my humble appeal to the Regional governments who have pledged support, to expedite delivery. I also urge the Partners and Friends of South Sudan, and the international community, to offer more support to the cantonment process. I am keen to learn of the latest progress on cantonment, and I expect the Chairperson of the JMCC to update today’s meeting shortly.

  3. The National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) has finalized the drafting of the Fire Brigade Service Bill, 2019 and has scheduled its submission to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. However, I am becoming increasingly concerned with the delay in the ratification and enactment of the amended Constitution, and the other laws already submitted by the NCAC. I urge the I-TGoNU and the TNLA to expedite the process. In the meantime, the NCAC has embarked on the review of the Public Finance Management and economic sector laws, and I look forward to hearing more from the Chairman of NCAC shortly.

 

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

  1. Now, for an update on the progress of the resolutions of the last meeting in which the Plenary appealed to the I-TGoNU and the NPTC to expedite the nominations and appointment process of theDDR Commission’s Chairperson and Deputy and to ensure itsimmediate reconstitution. I communicated this matter of the DDRCommission’s reconstitution to the IGAD Council of Ministers, who decided that the matter be completed by the end of August 2019. I understand that the appointments were made by Presidential Decree yesterday. I will await further detail from the NPTC.

  2. You may recall that the Plenary resolved that the JMCC and CTSAMVM should conduct an assessment on protection-related risks to the civilian population at cantonment sites and recommend mitigation measures to be put in place. I expect the JMCC and CTSAMVM to give a report on this.

  3. As you may also recall, the Plenary endorsed my recommendation to the IGAD Council of Ministers that a meeting of the Parties be convened to review progress in the implementation of the critical pending Pre-Transitional tasks. I am pleased to report that this meeting took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 21st August 2019. Its communique has been availed to you today.

  4. The Plenary further resolved that the Parties continue with coordinated dissemination and joint confidence-building measures and encouraged the other stakeholders and partners to equally engage in disseminating the Agreement and messages of the peace to their various constituents. I am pleased to note that there have been at least two occasions in Rajaf and Gudele 2 where the Parties appeared together and addressed grassroots dissemination meetings. These events, staged by the NPTC Dissemination Unit, supported by RJMEC, and UNMISS, are positive steps and should continue. I would like to see all Stakeholders to the Agreement participating in future events.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

  1. The citizens of South Sudan are demanding to know more about the Revitalized Peace Agreement, and the progress of its implementation. Accordingly, the RJMEC Secretariat has in the past few weeks, in partnership with faith-based and civil society leaders, undertaken dissemination in the towns of Wau, Torit, Yambio and Maridi. Our experience demonstrates that citizens have limited knowledge of the R-ARCSS. This justifies the need for more work to be done on dissemination.

  2. I would like to add a word about the National Dialogue. We are all aware of the ongoing political process being undertaken by the National Dialogue. This process is complementary to the Revitalised Peace Agreement as both are key to the peace process in South Sudan. My appeal to the National Dialogue Committee is that their various dialogue platforms also be used for disseminating the revitalized Peace Agreement to the citizens. We are fortunate to have an RJMEC member representing the Eminent Personalities, and who is also a member of the National Dialogue. I wish to request that he be given the opportunity to inform the RJMEC meetings on its progress from time to time.

  1. On the number and boundaries of States, this issue was included in the agenda of the Addis Ababa meeting of the Parties and it was agreed that the Parties would discuss the matter further with a view to finding a common solution, and report to the IGAD Ordinary Summit, due in mid-September 2019.

  2. You may recall that in the last meeting, we called upon the Parties to hold regular face to face meetings of all the political leadership in order to build trust and confidence among themselves and address the challenges facing implementation. In that regard, I would like towelcome this week’s face-to-face meetings of His Excellency Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar, leader of the SPLM/A-IO. Their commitment to resolve the outstanding issues, either personally or by putting in place official mechanisms, is critical for the successful implementation of the R-ARCSS.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

18. The Permanent Ceasefire is holding. However, I am concerned by the recently reported insecurity incidents in the areas of Aweil East, Raja and Yei River. The Chairperson of CTSAMVM will shed more light on these incidents shortly.

19. In terms of the humanitarian situation, the UNHCR reported that there was the spontaneous return of displaced persons and refugees during August. I hope to hear more from UNMISS.

20. Regarding the economy, I am encouraged that the exchange rate continues to remain fairly stable. However, rising food prices continues to be the main contributor to inflation.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

21. I would like to conclude with the following recommendations:

  1. that the DDR Commission immediately operationalizes a plan

    of action, which is vital to the cantonment process;

  2. the I-TGoNU should expedite the disbursement of additional

    funds for cantonment so that its pace can be increased;

  3. the Parties to the Agreement should resolve the issue of the number and boundaries of States of South Sudan as per the resolution of the IGAD Council of Ministers in consultation with the Parties of 21st August 2019;

  4. I reiterate my appeal to the Region, Partners and Friends of South Sudan, and the international community, to support the implementation of the revitalized Peace Agreement, in particular, the cantonment process; and

  5. I also reiterate my appeal to the NPTC to organise joint dissemination of the revitalized Peace Agreement to all South Sudanese, within the country, in displaced persons’ camps, inrefugee camps and in the Diaspora.

  1. Finally, I must remind the Parties once again how short the time is, and that they must work closely together in order to accomplish the remaining critical pending Pre-Transitional tasks within the remaining two months.

  2. I wish you fruitful deliberations. God bless you all.I thank you.

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