Peace monitors welcome meeting between Kiir, Machar

March 9, 2023 (JUBA) – The body monitoring South Sudan’s peace process (RJMEC) has appealed to President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar to focus on the timely implementation of the peace agreement.

The two leaders are scheduled to meet in the capital, Juba on Friday.

The meeting comes barely a week after President Kiir sacked Defense and Veterans Affairs minister, Angelina Teny and swapped the ministry from the armed opposition (SPLM-IO) to his ruling party (SPLM).

In a statement issued on Wednesday, RJMEC encouraged consultation to resolve issues on the removal of the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs.

The peace monitoring body also expressed concerns regarding removal of Defence and Interior ministers as well as the swapping of the two ministries between the incumbent coalition government and the armed opposition.

“RJMEC welcomes the decision of the President and the First Vice President to meet and discuss the issue of the removal of the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, and the swapping of the two ministries. In that regard, we urge the Parties to observe the letter and spirit of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), which is founded on collaboration, consultation, and agreement between the Parties,” partly reads the statement extended to Sudan Tribune.

It added, “If there is a deadlock between the Parties to the Agreement, a referral can be made to RJMEC pursuant to Article 7.11 of the R-ARCSS to engage the Parties with a view to finding a compromise and / or recommending measures to break the deadlock”.

According to RJMEC, it is important to resolve these issues as soon as possible so that the peace deal can implemented in a timely manner.

(ST)