Meanwhile, According to a Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) quarterly report, the Committee chaired by constitutional lawyer Mr. Gichira Kibara, has also made “commendable progress “in the review and amendment of key National Security related legislation as required by the 2015 Peace Agreement. 

During the month of December 2017, the report said, the Committee continued with the review and finalization of the Amendment Bills to the five Security Laws. 

These were handed over to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs on January 2018 in accordance with Article 13.1.2 of the ARCSS, the report stated.

The submitted Bills include, SPLA Act 2009 (Amendment) Bill, 2018, National Security Act 2014 (Amendment) Bill, 2018, Police Service Act 2009 (Amendment) Bill, 2018, Prisons Service Act 2011 (Amendment) Bill, 2018 and the Wildlife Service Act 2011 (Amendment) Bill, 2018. 

In January 2018, the report sates, the Committee provided a detailed report to JMEC on the approach, methodology and process of carrying out the amendments to the Security Laws. 

This methodology included consultations with experts and all stakeholders. 

In January 2018, the Committee met with and received joint submissions on proposed amendments to the Political Parties Act, 2012 and the National Elections Act, 2012, from representatives of 12 of the 14 registered political parties. 

“The NCAC has since completed an initial review of these two laws incorporating the submissions received from the parties and stakeholders. A stakeholders meeting has subsequently been scheduled for May to validate the proposed amendments,” the report added. 

During this reporting period, JMEC supported a workshop by the South Sudan Chamber of Commerce for the NCAC to share information with the business community on their work. This interaction was especially useful for the Committee considering the provisions relating to the establishment of the Economic and Financial Management Authority (EFMA) Chapter IV of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict of South Sudan (ARCSS). 

Still pending however, the report notes, is the ratification of bills including the Constitution Amendment Bill (2018) and the Security Bills by the Transitional National Legislature (TNLA). 

Also pending is the reconstitution of several transitional institutions and mechanisms, including the Political Parties Council and National Elections Commission, which are critical for paving way for the registration of political parties, and the preparation and conduct of elections at the end of the Transitional Period. 

“These are all tasks that will require a considerable amount of time and resources to be credible,” the report stated. 

The NCAC is established under Chapter 1 Article 13 of the ARCSS as one of the organs for implementation of the Agreement.