The continuous killings of civilians, sexual violence against women, the displacement of children, the elderly and disabled persons in South Sudan are “deeply disheartening”, the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) has said.
The National Constitution Amendment Committee (NCAC) on Thursday 21st June 2018, held a one-day stakeholders meeting on the review/amendment of election-related laws at Royal Palace Hotel, Juba. The meeting was officially opened by the Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), Rt. Honorable Anthony Lino Makana.
The stakeholders meeting was attended by more than sixty (60) participants representatives of the National Elections Commission, Political Parties Council, the National Constitutional Review Commission, Members of all registered Political Parties, media, representatives of civil Society, youth and women organisations. Ambassador Mahen Kundasamy, JMEC Deputy Chief of Staff officially made opening and closing remarks at the meeting on behalf of the Chairperson of JMEC, H.E Festus Mogae.
The objective of the meeting was to validate proposed amendments to the Political Parties Act, 2012 and the National Elections Act, 2012 as well as obtain input / views and recommendations to support the amendment process. The deliberations at the meeting were comprehensive and will be critical in the further review and amendment of the two election – related laws. Participants greatly appreciated the stakeholders forum and provided extensive feedback that will be duly considered and incorporated by the Committee. The meeting was very successful in achieving the aforementioned objectives. The Committee will now consider and incorporate the views from the meeting and finalise the proposals in the form of amendment bills which will be then presented to the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
The National Constitution Amendment Committee on Monday met the Minister for Cabinet Affairs - Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro. The Minister was accompanied by his colleague, the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs - Hon. Paulino Wanawila. The purpose of the meeting was to brief the Minister of NCAC’s commencement of work towards the drafting of legislation for the establishment of the Economic and Financial Management Authority (EFMA) to provide oversight over the economic and financial sector in accordance with the peace agreement (ARCSS).
The Peace Agreement mandates the NCAC to draft legislation for the establishment of the EFMA in accordance with Chapter IV Article 8. Article 8.2 provides that the EFMA shall be governed by a board to be known as Board of Economic and Financial Management Authority (BEFMA) comprising the President and the First Vice President of the TGoNU as Chair and Deputy Chair respectively, and Ministers of Finance and Planning, Petroleum, Mining, Roads and Bridges, Governor of the Bank of South Sudan (BoSS), National Revenue Authority, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee dealing with Public Accounts; representatives of Political Parties, South Sudan Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (SSCCIA), Civil society, Women’s bloc, Youth and Academia; Article 8.3provides that BEFMA shall appoint the Head of the Authority that shall be endorsed by the Transitional National Assembly (TNA). Article further 8.4 provides that EFMA shall be supported by an Advisory Committee comprised of: the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, African Development Bank, Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), PTA Bank, UN-Economic Commission for Africa, United Nations Development Program, and three (3) major donor representatives.
During the meeting, the NCAC briefed the Minister on the initial consultations the Committee has made and of its intention to adopt a participatory process involving consultations with government institutions, experts and stakeholders. The ministers reiterated their commitment and support for NCAC’s work.
The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) has on Wednesday held its 6thDonor Conference in the South Sudan capital, Juba.
The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) has asked the South Sudanese warring parties to embrace the spirit of compromise and accept the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) bridging proposals to end the conflict in the country.
It is time to end the suffering of the people of South Sudan, said the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), as the High Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) came to a close on Wednesday May 23rd2018 in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.
Speaking during the official closing ceremony of the Forum, JMEC Chief of Staff, Ambassador Berhanu Kebede said,
“We have heard the deep yearning for peace by all the people of South Sudan, which was so eloquently expressed in the voices of the representatives of the refugees here at the forum. We cannot and should not turn a deaf ear to these ever widening cries and pleas for peace.”
Rather than continue on the destructive path of conflict, Ambassador Kebede said, I urge you to invest your energies to make the best use of your resources for the good of all the people of South Sudan.
“Time is no longer on your side and therefore you must not grow weary in your pursuits. At this point in time nothing is more important to the citizens of South Sudan than the realization of a lasting and comprehensive peace.”
“You must reaffirm your commitment, not only in word, but also by concrete action to adhere to and fully observe the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA). By so doing, you would have set the basis for, and provide the best guarantee to bring lasting peace to your beautiful country.”
The Chief of Staff welcomed the signing of an addendum to the CoHA signed in December last year. The addendum fully operationalizes the CTSAMM Board, which is expected to enhance monitoring and verification of compliance or lack thereof by all parties to the conflict.
The Continuation of Phase II of the Forum opened on Thursday May 17, 2018 and lasted for six days.
As the High Level Revitilization Forum (HLRF) enters Day Two, the Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) aked South Sudanese parties to agree on concrete measures to restore the permanent ceasefire and inclusive governance.
The High Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) provides best and timely opportunity to end the “catastrophe that befell the people of South Sudan”, the Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), has said.
Speaking during the opening of the continuation of the Second Phase of the HLRF in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, H.E. Festus Mogae said,
As the Second Phase of the High Level Revitilization Forum (HLRF) is expected to reconvene this week, efforts should not be spared to ensure a return of “full and inclusive” implementation of the South Sudan Peace Agreement, the Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), H.E Festus Mogae has said.
The Joint Military Ceasefire Commission (JMCC) met this past Wednesday for its’ 53rdmonthly meeting in Juba. The JMCC has been meeting regularly since its’ formation after the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS) was signed in August of 2015.
The meeting, which was Co-Chaired by Major General Majier Deng Kur and MG Gabriel Gatwech Puoch, involved various updates on the security status and situations in South Sudan, the UNMISS Regional Protection Force, CTSAMM, JIP, JOC, as well as issues regarding Cantonment and Assembly sites throughout South Sudan.
The formation and responsibilities of the JMCC are described in Chapter II, Article 3.3 of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS) 2015. Most notably these included the oversight and coordination of forces in cantonment and barracks.
The JMCC is currently staffed and Co-Chaired by representatives of the warring parties from the ARCSS (2015) and will be comprehensively adjusted pending the outcome of the ongoing Agreement of Cessation of Hostilities (2017).
The National Constitution Amendment Committee (NCAC) on Tuesday started to finalise the review of draft bills containing amendments to the National Elections Act and Political Parties Act of 2012.
The Bills will be presented to a stakeholders at a meeting scheduled for June. Thereafter, the Bills will be completed before being presented to the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
