South Sudan peace monitors call for predictable timelines, funds
November 18, 2022 (JUBA) – The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), the body monitoring the peace agreement in South Sudan, has called for predictable timelines and financial resources to implement the remaining tasks.
RJMEC’s Interim Chairperson, Charles Tai Gituai said several steps forward have been made, but it was time for parties to the coalition government to provide a predictable timeline during remaining tasks would be completed by availing financial resources.
“Those steps include the commencement of the graduation of forces, with around 80 percent of phase 1 of the Necessary Unified Forces graduated,” Gituai said Thursday.
He added, “Additionally, the Constitution-making Process Bill has been passed by the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislature”.
Gituai was speaking at the first monthly meeting bringing together members of different political parties and stakeholders after the extension of the transitional period of the peace deal. The extension of the transitional period was agreed upon during an extraordinary meeting of the RJMEC on September 1, 2022. The Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) presented the roadmap which it says would be a guide to a peaceful and democratic end of the transitional period of the revitalized peace accord.
The peace monitoring body said while progress has been made, it was time to prioritize the implementation of the roadmap tasks within the given timelines and avail predictable, timely and adequate funding for all roadmap tasks.
“The people of South Sudan, who are the primary beneficiaries of this peace agreement, have waited a long time to reap the benefits of peace and It is therefore of utmost importance to implement the roadmap in letter and spirit,” Gen. Gituai said.
“The RTGoNU must demonstrate the urgency, the unity of purpose, the commitment, the extra effort and political will required to implement the tasks outlined in the roadmap as scheduled,” he added.
The Interim Chairperson of RJMEC appealed to the parties to enhance their approaches individually and collectively in engaging as members of the same government and relevant institutions and mechanisms with a strong focus on facilitating progress.
(ST)