-       Chairperson of the AU Peace and Security Council,

-       Commissioner for the AU Political Affairs, Peace and Security

-       Your Excellencies, Distinguished Permanent Representatives

-       Ladies and Gentlemen 

Your Excellency,

1.    I am honoured to once again address this august Council as the Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC). This statement builds on the one delivered by RJMEC to the 1186th Session of the AU PSC on 16 November 2023.

2.    Given the short time available to brief you, I will be concise. Last week, on 22 February 2024, South Sudan marked the four-year anniversary since the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity was established. Similarly, 18 September 2023 last year, marked five years since the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) was signed in 2018. This five-year period of the Agreement marks the longest period of relative peace, inclusivity and stability since independence in 2011. The gains made in this period are significant, considering the previous security situation in the country. It is therefore important to consolidate and protect these achievements. 

3.    In accordance with the Roadmap which began one year ago, the Transitional Period ends in February 2025, one year from now. Elections are scheduled for December 2024, two months before the end of the Transition period, in accordance to the Agreement, which legitimises the Revitalised Transitional Government. In RJMEC’s assessment, much work remains to be done to complete the Agreement requirements for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections. In my recent engagement with the Parties to the Agreement, it is evident that there is no consensus among the Parties on the elections.

Your Excellency,

4.    The Revitalised Peace Agreement is a blueprint to transform South Sudan into a stable and prosperous country, and was predicated on upholding the permanent ceasefire, inclusive implementation of the Agreement, and realistic timelines towards credible, peaceful, free, and fair democratic elections. With ten months left before the scheduled elections, it is concerning that the following key tasks required for elections have not been completed:

·      funding and operationalisation of the elections-related institutions responsible for preparation and conduct of elections;

·      making the permanent constitution, the provisions of which will guide the conduct of elections;

·      judicial reforms to enhance the capacity and independence of judicial institutions, including addressing election-related disputes;

·      completion of Phase I and II unification of forces in order to provide security throughout the country;

·      facilitating the return and resettlement of refugees and IDPs; and

·      protection and expansion of political and civic space to enhance public participation in constitution and election processes, among others.

5.    Given the scale of the tasks ahead, therefore, there is need for the Parties to dialogue, and demonstrate political will, compromise, consensus, unity of purpose and agree on the way forward.

Your Excellency,

6.    The aforementioned pending tasks are outlined in the Agreement as part of the critical reforms required to address the root causes of the conflicts that have occurred in South Sudan since independence. With this in mind, I would like to conclude with some recommendations. The AU PSC to use it good offices to: 

i)             support South Sudan’s Revitalised Transitional Government politically, financially and technically to expedite and complete the pending tasks to deliver credible elections within the framework of the Agreement;

ii)          encourage the Parties to the Agreement to dialogue among themselves in order to build the consensus and compromise as necessary to hold free, fair and credible elections;

iii)        prevail on the Revitalised Transitional Government to avail the requisite resources and logistics to fully operationalise the institutions which drive forward all the tasks required for the constitution-making process, elections, and the completion of the unification of forces; and

iv)         urge the Parties to adhere to the 35% minimum threshold for women’s representation in all mechanisms in accordance with the Agreement, and promote the inclusion of youth and those living with disabilities.

7.    As the end of the Transitional Period approaches, it is important for the AU to assist the Principals of the Parties to dialogue, compromise and reach consensus on the elections. 

I Thank You.