South Sudan leaders should guarantee funding for elections: RJMEC
August 15, 2024 (JUBA/NEW YORK) – The leaders in South Sudan should budget and guarantee funding for elections after agreeing on a firm timetable for the exercise, the chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said on Wednesday.
He was addressing the United Nations Security Council on the status of implementation of the peace agreement.
“With regards to the prospects of elections, an inter-party Committee reviewed the Roadmap implementation, and submitted its report to the Principals, who met yesterday, 13 August,” said Gituai.
He added, “In response, the Parties to the Agreement by consensus have tasked the relevant institutions and the inter-party Committee to develop a realistic timetable for elections. It is expected that the timetable will be accompanied by a budget and guaranteed funding.”
Gituai, while reviewing the status of implementation of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement, also highlighted some key challenges that have slowed down progress including; insufficient political will, trust deficit among the Parties, capacity gaps, and persistent levels of intercommunal violence in the states.
“All the Agreement institutions and mechanisms have insufficient and unpredictable funding which is hampering their work,” he remarked.
The Chairperson of RJMEC further acknowledged that the peace agreement has contributed to relative peace, inclusive governance structures, and the ongoing legal, security, and economic reforms in the Republic of South Sudan.
“It is evident that the revitalized agreement remains the most viable blueprint and transformative framework for achieving enduring peace and prosperity,” stressed Gituai.
“I therefore appeal to this Council to remain seized of the peace process in South Sudan and to encourage the international community to mobilize resources and political support for full implementation of the revitalized agreement,” he added.
(ST)