No further progress made in unification of forces: RJMEC
September 5, 2023 (JUBA) – No further progress has been made on the unification of unified forces after the first phase graduation of 55,000 troops between August 2022 and January 2023, the body monitoring South Sudan’s peace process said.
“Several critical benchmarks remain unaccomplished as outlined in the Roadmap, including the unification of forces, the making of the permanent constitution, enactment and operationalization of legal frameworks and electoral processes in preparation for elections scheduled for December 2024,” the interim chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), Amb. Charles Tai Gitau told lawmakers in South Sudan on Tuesday.
He was addressing the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly (RTNLA), pursuant to Article 7.9 of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, which mandates RJMEC to report quarterly to the Parliament and provide detailed update on the status of implementation of the 2018 peace accord.
The head of the peace monitoring body observed that the graduated forces are still in training centres, yet to be redeployed and in dire need of logistical support.
“Additionally, there is no progress in Phase II of the unification of forces and the DDR process remains unfunded,” he explained.
Gitai further told lawmakers that the disruption of trade routes between Sudan and South Sudan linked to the recent conflict in the neighbouring country has negatively affected supply of food and other essential goods into South Sudan.
This, he stressed, has resulted in scarcity and increase in prices within the country.
According to the interim chairperson of RJMEC, the establishment of the Special Reconstruction Fund (SRF) Board, remains a concern especially in view of increasing needs and dwindling funding for humanitarian support, recovery as well as the implementation of Chapter III of the agreement.
He reminded the MPs of their critical role in ensuring that relevant key legislations are prioritised for enactment so as to hasten implementation of the agreement.
These legislations, Gitai said, include the National Elections Bill, the National Security Service Bill, Land Policy and Public Finance Management legislation.
This month, the top official stressed, marks one year since the endorsement of the Roadmap and five years since the Revitalised Peace Agreement was signed.
“It is therefore, important to reflect on the road which we have traveled thus far in the implementation of the R-ARCSS,” he stressed, adding “It is critical to underscore the need for sufficient political will, commitment of resources by the RTGoNU and for the Parties to the Agreement to build trust and confidence.”
In August last year, South Sudan President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar agreed to extend the lifespan of the revitalized peace deal, amid concerns that key benchmarks in the accord are still unimplemented.
(ST)