RJMEC presents status of R-ARCSS report to South Sudan Legislative Assembly, says it cannot be business as usual
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has presented its quarterly report on the status of implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) to the reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly (R-TNLA) on Wednesday.
Following the extension of the Transitional Period by 24 months last September, RJMEC Chairperson Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai told the members of the Assembly that there is “need for a sense of urgency, prioritization, focus and deliberate demonstration of practical implementation of the Agreement tasks within timelines.”
While giving Chapter-by-Chapter updates on the status of implementation of the R-ARCSS, Amb. Gituai said:
“I would like to underscore that two years is a very short time and it cannot be business as usual and much remains to be done if free, fair and credible elections have to be conducted by December 2026, under a permanent constitution as envisaged in the Agreement.”
Having agreed to a two-year extension of the Peace Agreement, the Chairperson added, it is imperative that the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU), the TNLA and all other stakeholders work to complete the pending tasks of the Agreement, particularly, those related to the Permanent Constitution-making, electoral preparations, unification of the forces, and transitional justice.
“At the same time, further opening up of civic and political space cannot be overemphasised, in order to provide an enabling environment for political participation by the general public, especially in the constitution-making and election processes.”
In his briefing given pursuant to Article 7.9 of the Revitalised Peace Agreement, Amb. Gitaui urged the Assembly to enhance its effectiveness in discharging its oversight responsibility and to prevail on the RTGoNU to adhere to the agreed implementation schedule, provide funding and ensure accountable and transparent utilisation of allocated resources.
Additionally, the Chairperson called on the Parties to the Agreement to embrace the Tumaini Initiative as a means of bringing in the holdout groups, in the spirit of compromise, inclusivity, forgiveness and reconciliation for the purpose of enhancing a united, peaceful and prosperous society based on justice, equality and respect for human rights and the rule of law.
In his conclusion he called on the Parties to the revitalized Peace Agreement to continue engaging in dialogue during this critical period of the extension with a view to implement the critical outstanding tasks.
