Honourable Ministers,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning.
1. Welcome to our seventh RJMEC monthly meeting.
2. I will divide my statement into four sections. The first section will provide an update on action points arising from the last Plenary, while the second will provide an update on the status of implementation of the Agreement and the critical pending tasks of the Pre-Transitional Period. Thirdly, I will highlight recurring challenges, and then conclude with my recommendations for the coming period.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen;
3. In the last Plenary, it was resolved that cantonment be expedited and should commence by the 15thJune. To begin with, the JMCC and the JTSC have moved forward with the cantonment planning process. The JMCC has conducted assessment visits to designated cantonment sites. I am encouraged by the formation and training of the Area Joint Military Ceasefire Committee (AJMCC) and the Joint Monitoring Ceasefire Teams (JMCTs). Last Friday, the JMCC completed the training of 154 personnel here in Juba who will operate the cantonment sites. More details will be presented by the JDB and the other security mechanisms shortly.
4. There is also some progress to report on the formation of the DDR Commission. The representatives of the Parties and stakeholders met and agreed on its restructuring. It was also agreed that either the Chairperson or the Deputy shall be a woman. The Parties and stakeholders have been requested to submit the names of their nominees to the IGAD Special Envoy, who will vet the suitably qualified candidates and submit them to the NPTC. The NPTC will then make the appointments accordingly.
5. I also had the honour of addressing the African Union Peace and Security Council in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on the current situation in South Sudan and on the status of implementation of the Agreement. I informed the Council on the remarkable improvement in the overall security situation since the signing of the R-ARCSS.
6. I also highlighted the progress made in the implementation of the Agreement, and the challenges which remain. I appealed to the Council to persuade the AU Commission and its member states to extend the requisite support to its implementation.
7. Concerning the identified gaps within the security mechanisms, I am pleased to report that the AU C5 Ambassadors invited RJMEC and the Office of the Special Envoy to Addis to give details and provide a list of in-kind support that can be made available for cantonment. Since then, members of the JDB, the JTSC and JMCC have been to Addis to follow up on the assistance, and we look forward to hearing the details shortly.
8. Regarding the occupation of civilian centres by the military, I wrote to the Chairman of the JDB requesting him to issue instructions to respective commanders for their troops to vacate all occupied civilian centres by 15thJune 2019. I am encouraged by the latest CTSAMVM report on this matter. The CTSAMVM Chairperson will provide more details shortly.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen;
9. Regarding the status of implementation of the Agreement and the critical pending tasks. To begin with, the Independent Boundaries Commission. I have been informed that the Commission is writing its report, and I expect it to be completed in the next few days. As per the Revitalized Agreement, the report of the IBC shall be presented to the IGAD Executive Secretary, who will then communicate the same to the Parties.
10. With regards to the amendment of the Constitution and relevant laws. The Constitutional Amendment Bill 2019 has been returned to the NCAC to incorporate the six-month extended Pre-Transitional Period, ahead of its ratification by the Transitional National Legislative Assembly. Five of the six security-related laws and the Political Parties Act have been reviewed and submitted to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. I am aware that the NCAC members were unable to reach consensus on one key provision within the National Security Services Act as amended which may require further discussions. The Chairperson of NCAC will provide more details.
11. I have also reviewed and approved a new work schedule for the NCAC during this extension period, allowing them to draft the Fire Brigade Act, and to begin work on three legislations which were intended to be worked on during the Transitional Period. These are:
· the Public Finance Management Act;
· the National Audit Chambers Act; and
· the Anti-Corruption Act.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen;
12. Now for some recurring challenges. In terms of denial of access, CTSAMVM reports that there has been considerable improvement since late April, with only one new instance of denial of access being reported, which was by the SSPDF.
13. On the issue of notice for CTSAMVM to verify forces at a particular location, it is my understanding that CTSAMVM is required to give prior notice of the intended verification. However, in a situation where a violation is alleged at any location, CTSAMVM shall be granted unconditional access.
14. On the security situation, I am pleased to note that the permanent ceasefire continues to hold across the country, while attention is turned to cantonment and the training of the Necessary Unified Forces. Unfortunately, there is still violence and an unacceptable number of deaths linked to cattle rustling. This requires the urgent attention of the government.
15. In terms of the humanitarian situation, recent data supplied by OCHA suggests that humanitarian access continued to improve generally across South Sudan. Furthermore, humanitarian agencies accessed the vast majority of the country without major incidents. This is encouraging because it provides the enabling environment for the return of refugees and IDPs to their homes. However, the onset of rainy season will have a constraining effect on reaching the people. Additionally, I am aware that the inclusive Humanitarian Coordination Unit (HCU) was launched on the 10th May, and I would be keen to hear how it is progressing.
16. Currently, South Sudan’s economy demonstrates relatively improved inflation rates and a fairly stable exchange rate. Although inflation rates are still in double digits, it remains well below the very high levels experienced prior to the signing of the Peace Agreement.
17. Increased revenues from the opening of oil fields previously closed during the conflict is another one of the benefits being derived from the permanent cease fire. However, additional reforms in the financial management system are needed to achieve efficient use of resources and attract foreign direct investment.
18. Despite an apparent reduction in reported cases of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), it remains a concern. However, I am encouraged by the ongoing discussion about the establishment of an SGBV court by the Judiciary, and the adoption by the South Sudanese Peoples Defence Forces of an Action Plan to eradicate SGBV by the military. These are two important developments.
19. Finally, in my recent consultation with the RJMEC stakeholders, I learnt with concern the challenges being faced by civil society in disseminating the Peace Agreement. I appeal to the Parties to the Agreement to facilitate civil society in their efforts to contribute to the peace.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen;
20. I will now outline some key recommendations.
a) I urge the Security Mechanisms to open the cantonment sites and ensure that all forces report to the designated sites or barracks.
b) In that respect, I urge the NPTC to avail the requisite resources to the mechanisms without delay.
c) I call upon all Parties to step up joint confidence building measures, from the highest political level to the grassroots.
d) I urge the Parties to the Agreement to takes steps to eradicate SGBV in their areas of responsibility, to ensure protection and safety of women and girls in areas under their control, and to continue accountability measures for those found culpable of SGBV violations.
20. I wish you fruitful deliberations today.
I thank you.
Good Afternoon
1. I wish to start by commending the conveners, facilitators and participants of this very important Workshop. The successful conclusion of this very timely Workshop marks an encouraging beginning of the extension to the Pre-Transitional Phase that begins tomorrow, 12 May 2019.
2. I am told the workshop went well and that significant progress was made, I congratulate youfor what you have achieved in a short time and at short notice. It is my hope that we shall keep this momentum going and double our determination, in order to avoid the agreed roadmap and implementation schedule from falling behind schedule, again.
3. When I addressed you yesterday I expressed my concern regarding the size and complexity of the task lying ahead of you and thetime available to achieve success. We are all aware that failure is not an option and that the people of South Sudan are watching anxiously, waiting to see real action that will improve their lives and produce lasting peace.
4. I also spoke about measures neededto get the key actions of Cantonment, selection, training and redeployment of the Necessary Unified Forces back on track.
5. The first step being,to enhance cooperation both within and between your organizations. I am informed that this Workshop has already demonstrated improved coordination and plans are already underway to enhance the work of the Mechanisms through information sharing and the allocation of more human and technical resources.
6. In particular, I am pleased to see thepresence of NPTC and hear about their involvement in both the discussions and the development of detailed plans to meet the new targets. I understand that NPTC has pledged to provide support to the Secretariatsincluding office space, equipment, communications and movement support. We will workclosely with NPTC to assist them in fulfilling this pledge as quickly as possible.
7. Looking forward, I expect that there will be regular meetings between the four mechanisms and involvement by NPTC, RJMEC, CTSAMVM and internationalpartners.
8. I welcome the production of detailed action plans showing confirmed locations for Cantonment sites, resources to be procured to both establish and support them with agreed budgets. I welcome toothe agreement that planning and preparation for Cantonment will run concurrently with plans to select, train anddeploy the necessary Unified Forces.
9. Most important of all,will be the announcement of a startdate for cantonment and the official opening of selected pilot cantonment sites.
10. I reiterate that logistics demands of Cantonment, training and redeployment of the necessary Unified Forces will require skilled procurement and financial staff support. I look forward to seeing the details of how this task will be performed.
11. Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) will be key to the successful end of this conflict, and must also be urgently addressed. I shall be working closely with the IGAD Special Envoy to expedite the reconstitution of the DDR Commission.
12. I wish to restate my appreciation toyou all for the two days of hard work and congratulate you for your achievements. This is a good firststep on a long road. I have no doubt that there are challenges ahead,but I am confident that the people in this room have the skills and experience to overcome them. This, however, takes leadership and teamwork.
13. We hope to get assistance for you from other organizations and agencies where you request for it. RJMEC and the Office of the IGAD SE stand readyto offer whatever assistance we can provide.
14. With these few remarks,I want to offer my sincerest thanks to you all and declare this Workshop closed
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Your Excellency, the Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers; Your Excellencies, Members of the Council;
Your Excellency, IGAD Executive Secretary;
Your Excellency, IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan;
Hon. Ministers, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen.
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Following my earlier statement to this Summit I wish to take this opportunity to present to you a more detailed summary on the status of implementation of the R-ARCSS. This Report builds on our first quarter 2019 Report, and on our assessment that was made in the letter delivered to His Excellency Dr. Abey, Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia, both of which have been availed to you.
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I am pleased to note that the overall security situation has improved and continues to do so. However, efforts need to continue in order to address some long outstanding issues. Of note is the continued occupation of civilian buildings by the forces of some of the Parties to the Agreement. As a matter of urgency, these buildings must be vacated immediately and the Parties report to CTSAMVM so that it can be verified.
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One of the main issues to recur throughout the Pre-Transitional period has been CTSAMVM access in its work of monitoring and verifying the forces of all Parties in South Sudan. In view of its mandate to enjoy free and unfettered access, it continues to experience obstacles, which hampers the discharge of its mandate. With regards to the Luri incident of 18th December 2018, I recommend that a joint field visit with the representatives of the Parties take place as soon as possible.
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The denial of access and information to CTSAMVM has implications that extend into all the security arrangements envisaged by the R-ARCSS. The reluctance on the part of South Sudanese forces to share data on exact troop numbers and locations has a negative impact on planning, which is an essential component for the unification of all forces. As we know, the unification of all forces is an essential requirement for the formation of the Revitalized Transitional Government.
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We still do not know the correct and verified number of troops of the Parties in South Sudan with certainty, nor their precise locations. Of course, there could well be numbers of troops and their locations of which we are completely unaware. This amounts to the circumvention of cantonment, which is a task that all Parties agreed to in signing the R-ARCSS. No troops may be trained and deployed outside of the cantonment process.
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A direct ramification of this is to complicate the operationalization of cantonment, which we have identified as the greatest concern in the slow implementation of the Agreement. Although locations have been identified, the logistical support required to manage the process has not been put in place, and this results in part from the failure to provide accurate data upon which to base the planning. Furthermore, I must stress that all the forces under the command of the Parties must be ready for cantonment.
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The data that we presently lack, once given, will provide a precise indication of the truth of the matter, and we urge that all necessary support be given to ensure accurate and consistent data from all the forces of South Sudan is provided.
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RJMEC therefore has the following two recommendations to address CTSAMVM’s lack of access:
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i) CTSAMVM to develop improved information-sharing between the JDB, JMCC, the Parties, and field commanders. Improved coordination should take place between the National Monitors and Liaison Officers; and
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ii) Diplomatic pressure to be applied to ensure that CTSAMVM’s Monitoring and Verification Teams have free access during verification of all units and formations, and to ensure that Parties respond to the list of denials and report back on the actions taken as a result of each case.
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Another key prerequisite for the formation of the RTGoNU is the completion of the work of the Independent Boundaries Commission (IBC) in determining the number of states and the composition of the Council of States. In that regard it is imperative that the IBC continues to work diligently and that it delivers its Report and recommendations in a timely manner.
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Reported incidences of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) remain a great concern. Despite an apparent reduction in reported cases, SGBV remains a serious concern and needs to be urgently addressed. RJMEC renews its call on the Parties to the Agreement to adhere to their obligations and refrain from all acts and forms of SGBV and ensure protection and safety of women in areas under their control. It also recommends that the fight against SGBV be made a priority. RJMEC also welcomes the launching of the SSPDF’s Action Plan to counter SGBV and encourages other parties to do the same.
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The National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) has completed work on the Constitutional Amendment Bill and is working on the Political Parties Act and the Security laws. Although the Amendment Bill, which incorporates the R-ARCSS into South Sudan’s transitional Constitution, was submitted to the Minister of Justice more than two months ago, it is yet to be ratified by the Transitional National Legislative Assembly and assented to by the President. Failure to ratify the Amendment Bill could adversely impact the formation of the RTGONU. In that regard RJMEC urgently calls for its ratification and assent.
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Also of concern has been the lack of capacity within the Agreement mechanisms and institutions. This has resulted in delays in undertaking some key tasks, such as the development of training syllabuses for the unified forces. It is important to note that: (i) the level of training and professional expertise within the military wing of the various parties vary widely and are sometimes inadequate; (ii) experience in operational and logistics planning is lacking; and (iii) subject matter expertise within the mechanisms is sorely lacking.
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In an effort to bridge these gaps within the security mechanisms and to allow for the solid planning for cantonment and the training of a unified army, RJMEC recommends that IGAD member countries make available security experts to assist in the work of the mechanisms on a short-term basis. For its part, RJMEC is in the process of recruiting two security experts who can provide assistance in that regard. However, additional expertise is required.
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Last but not least, one of the key setbacks observed to the implementation of the Pre- Transitional tasks has been the unavailability of financial resources. In that regard, RJMEC welcomes the Government’s commitment to avail US $100 million to the NPTC. It is therefore critically important that these resources be made available in a timely and predictable manner to allow all Agreement institutions and mechanisms to become fully operational and deliver on their mandate.
- Your Excellency, the Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers
- Your Excellencies, Members of the Council
- Your Excellency, IGAD Executive Secretary
- Your Excellency, IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan
- Hon. Ministers,
- Your Excellencies,
- Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. It is my honour to address this Council today, andI thank you for convening this timely meeting.
2. RJMEC has been monitoring progress of the Pre-Transitional period, which unfortunately has not been implemented according to the Agreement timelines.
3. In our assessment report on the status of the implementation of the Pre-Transitional tasks presented to your Excellencies and the Parties, we determined that out of 59 key tasks, only 27 had been completed, 17 were still ongoing while 15 are pending.
4. The critical pending tasks include cantonment, training, unification and deployment of forces, the reconstitution of the DDR Commission, as well as determination of the number and boundaries of States and the restructuring and composition of the Council of States.
5. Accordingly, I appealed to the leadership of the Parties to urgently meet and take an honest assessment of the status of the implementation of the Peace Agreement and agree on the best course of action.
6. I also wrote to the IGAD leadership requesting them to urgently convene an extra-ordinary summit and council meeting to take stock of the status of implementation of the Revitalized Agreement, engage the South Sudanese parties and stakeholders, and make a determination on the best way forward.
7. As you are aware, last week the Parties to the Agreement met in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the auspices of the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan.
8. Following extensive deliberations, the Parties to the Agreement resolved that the Pre-Transitional period should be extended for six months, effective 12thMay 2019, to allow for the implementation of critical pending tasks.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
9. In the circumstances, I welcome the Parties’ request for a 6 month extension. I note that this extension was necessitated by the failure to implement critical agreed tasks in accordance with the timelines of the Peace Agreement, and therefore urge this Council to consider the request, and take concrete steps to ensure that the Parties implement the Agreement in letter and spirit.
10. Our focus should now fall squarely on the leadership of the Parties to demonstrate clear political will and commitment to make sure that the security-related institutions and mechanisms of the Agreement deliver. As resolved by the Parties, the most critical determinant for the formation of the RTGoNU is the unification of forces.
11. Broken down further, their unification involves the cantonment, disarmament, screening, demobilization, selection, joint training, and deployment of forces. These are now matters of the highest priority.
12. I also welcome the Parties’ request for IGAD’s Heads of State and Government to convene regular face-to-face meetings of the top leadership of the Parties to the R-ARCSS to review the status of implementation of the Agreement.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
13. There are key challenges facing the effective implementation of the Agreement which include financial constraints, slow dissemination, trust deficit, capacity gaps within the various security mechanisms, coordination gaps as well as inadequate support by partners.
14. In view of this, there is need to take proactive steps and measures to address the aforementioned challenges to ensure effective implementation of the Agreement.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
15. I wish to submit RJMEC’s recommendations as follows:
a. The DDR Commission to be reconstituted without any further delay;
b. ITGoNU to disburse the funds pledged to the NPTC without any delay;
c. The regional and international community to extend additional support for the implementation of the Peace Agreement;
d. The NPTC to establish clear deadlines for the implementation of tasks that do not require funding;
e. The immediate demilitarization of civilian centres;
f. IGAD Member States and International Partners to second experts to support the various security mechanisms including JDB, JTSC, JMCC, and SDSR; and
g. The Independent Boundaries Commission to expedite its work and submit its report.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
16. The trust and confidence nurtured over the last 8 months facilitated a consensus that the Pre-Transitional period be extended to enable the full implementation of agreed tasks. This must now be consolidated. I again urge this Council to endorse the request for the 6 month extension of the Pre-Transitional period.
17. In conclusion, I must say that success in the coming period, especially the effective implementation of the security arrangements, will create a positive environment for refugees and IDPs to return home.
I wish the Council fruitful deliberations.
I thank you.
- Your Excellency, Hirut Zemene, State Minister, Foreign Affairs, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia
- Your Excellencies, IGAD Member State Representatives
- Your Excellency, IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan
- Heads of Delegation of the Parties to the Revitalized Peace Agreement
- Hon. Ministers
- Your Excellencies
- Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. I have the honour to address all of you today.
2. As you know, we are left with only 10 days to the end of the Pre-Transitional Period as provided for in the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
3. I thank His Excellency Dr. Ismail Wais for convening this meeting of the Parties on the status of implementation of the Peace Agreement and the way forward. We at RJMEC have conducted our evaluation and made the findings public.
4. Our assessment is that in spite of the progress made in the establishment of key Agreement institutions and mechanisms, overall the implementation of the Pre-transitional tasks has fallen short of expectations. Critical tasks remain pending.
5. Accordingly, I recommended to the leadership of the Parties to take an honest review of our assessment and to agree on the best course of action going forward. I also recommended to the IGAD leadership to be seized of this matter.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
6. Permit me to highlight the tasks of the Pre-Transitional Period which have been implemented, those which are ongoing and the most critical tasks pending.
7. In RJMEC’s assessment, 59 key tasks were required to be implemented prior to the commencement of the Transitional Period. To-date, 27 out of the 59 have been completed, 17 are ongoing and 15 are pending. Unfortunately, the pending tasks are the most critical and consequential to the implementation of the Agreement.
8. For the purpose of this meeting, allow me to focus more on the ongoing and pending tasks of the Pre-Transitional Period.
9. Under Chapter I, implementation of the following key activities is either ongoing or incomplete:
a. determination of the number and boundaries of states and the composition and restructuring of the Council of States by the Independent Boundaries Commission;
b. ratification of the Constitutional Amendment Bill (2019) by the TNLA and its promulgation into the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan;
c. review and amendment of relevant security and governance related laws. The NCAC completed the reviews and handed over the Amendment Bills to the line Ministry to table before the Cabinet and forward to the TNLA; and
d. the Parties to the Agreement are yet to agree on the allocation of ministerial portfolios.
10. Under Chapter II, the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements, tasks yet to be conclusively implemented are as follows:
a. refraining from acts of sexual and gender-based violence by the Parties;
b. cantonment, disarmament, screening, demobilization, selection, unification and training of forces;
c. demilitarization of civilian centers;
d. reconstitution of sub-structures of the JMCC, namely; the Area Joint Military Ceasefire Committees and the Joint Military Ceasefire Teams;
e. reconstitution of the DDR Commission; and
f. the strategic defence and security review (SDSR) process.
11. Similarly, under Chapter III on humanitarian affairs and reconstruction, the mechanism for the registration and documentation of refugees and IDPs is still in the process of development.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
12. In spite of the moderate progress made in the implementation of the Pre-Transitional tasks, several challenges have continued to undermine the functionality of Agreement institutions and mechanisms. Namely, delayed establishment of some institutions and mechanisms, financial constraints, capacity gaps and lack of coordination.
13. My greatest concern is the delayed operationalization of the cantonment sites, despite my repeated appeal to the Parties to expedite this process. To my knowledge, as I speak, there is not a single cantonment site that is operational.
14. Your deliberations today and tomorrow must arrive at concrete steps to address the identified challenges.
15. The outcomes of this meeting will be critical in informing my recommendation to the IGAD leadership, galvanizing public trust in the peace process and will demonstrate your commitment to implement the Peace Agreement. I appeal to all of you to maintain the spirit of trust and confidence that you have nurtured together over the past months.
16. I wish you fruitful deliberations.
I thank you.
Honourable Ministers, Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning.
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Welcome to the fifth RJMEC monthly meeting.
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Before we proceed, Excellencies, permit me to pay tribute to the passengers and crew who lost their dear lives in the Ethiopian Airlines plane crash on 10 March 2019. We have all been affected by this tragedy in one way or the other. Our hearts, therefore, go to all the families and nations affected by this disaster. May the souls of the departed rest in eternal peace. Amen.
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I will divide my statement into three sections. The first section will address some issues that arose from the last Plenary, while the second will reflect more broadly on progress in the implementation of the Peace Agreement and challenges facing it. The statement will then close with my expectations to the Plenary for the coming period.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
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At the last meeting, we resolved to take specific action to bring non- signatories to the R-ARCSS into the peace process. Accordingly, I, with my delegation from the RJMEC Secretariat, joined with H.E. Ismail Wais, the IGAD Special Envoy to South Sudan, and met with General Thomas Cirillo in Addis Ababa and General Paul Malong in Nairobi. To-date talks with General Cirillo have not yielded much result, while those with General Malong have generally been more fruitful. These are diplomatic efforts that we continue to be seized of.
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I have been informed that the National Pre-Transitional Committee (NPTC) has received the US $10 million, pledged by the Government. I expect that these funds will be channelled to the appropriate mechanisms to expedite the start of the cantonment process.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
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There has been progress in the implementation of the R-ARCSS to report. The Technical Boundaries Committee (TBC) completed its work and submitted its report to the IGAD Mediation on 26thMarch. The TBC’s work pertained to addressing the tribalboundaries violated as a consequence of the establishment of the 32 states.
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The Independent Boundaries Commission (IBC) has finally begun its work. The IBC held its inaugural meeting on 18th and 19thMarch 2019 in Juba, and then a second meeting on 26th and 27thMarch in Addis Ababa. During these meetings, the IBC reviewed and adopted its Rules of Procedure as well as Terms of Reference. Its third meeting is currently underway here in Juba.
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In terms of the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC), its progress continues well. It has been reviewing the Political Parties Act (2012) to ensure that it complies with international best practices for free and democratic registration of Political Parties in South Sudan. To facilitate this work, the NCAC received submissions from the Political Parties, Civil Society and women. The NCAC Chairperson will provide more details shortly in his report.
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What I have just described is laudable progress. However, there are recurring challenges that must be addressed in the implementation of the Peace Agreement.
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The issue of denial of access to CTSAMVM continues. During the first quarter of this year, the number of access denials the Monitoring and Verification Teams encountered totalled to 31. Despite the resolutions of the RJMEC, it is disappointing to note that this is a persistent problem. I call on the commanders in Juba to hold their field commanders to account and allow free and unfettered access.
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Furthermore, contrary to my requests, I note with dismay that the details of the reported incidents of sexual and gender-based violence in Bentiu have not been made public, nor has RJMEC been given the full report of the government’s investigation andaction on the Luri incident.
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Likewise, CTSAMVM has investigated and confirmed the rape of two females (a woman and a minor) in Karpeto, Central Equatoria in January 2019 by SSPDF forces. I appreciate that suspects have been arrested and will face the full force of the law. I note also that CTSAMVM has resorted to centralized operations as a result of financial constraints, and I hope that this situation is addressed as soon as possible. CTSAMVM’s work is fundamental to the entire implementation of the Peace Agreement, and any reduction in its operational capacity must be a concern to all of us.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
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The security situation, as confirmed by CTSAMVM, remains stable, except tension in the Yei River area. However, I note with increasing concern the reported incidences of deaths resulting from recurring cattle rustling, particularly in Western Bahr el Ghazal. It is a situation which must be addressed urgently. Of concern also is that a Member of Parliament and one of his security details lost their lives as a result of an attack on 26th March. This is indeed regrettable.
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The JDB, the SDSR Board, the JMCC, the JTSC and the CTSAMVM Board have all been meeting and we shall hear reports of their progress shortly. That said, I must report that the reconstitution of the DDR Commission, vital to the cantonment process, is still pending. I urge the Incumbent TGoNU and the NPTC to expedite the reconstitution of this Commission.
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Since the last Plenary, the Consumer Price Index for February has been published. It shows an increase of 12 per cent over January 2019. The recorded price increases were to a large extent concentrated to a few basic food commodities reflecting supply shortages in parts of the country. In addition, recent gradual strengthening in the oil price has supported the exchange rate, thus reducing inflationary pressures.
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Since 2015, part of the net oil revenue has been allocated to pay transfer payments arrears to Sudan. The arrears were incurred when world oil prices fell below US $40 per barrel beginning late 2015. These arrears have now been cleared, contributing to an increased cash flow from oil available for financing the budget.
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Oil revenue is expected to remain the dominant source of income for many years to come. In that regard, the development in the oil price and production will largely determine the resources available to be allocated to implement the Peace Agreement.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
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We are now at a critical stage of implementation of the Peace Agreement. As we all know, the Transitional Period is due to begin in May, so it is essential to take stock of what has transpired to date.
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In our analysis on the status of implementation of the Pre- Transitional Period tasks, we identified 59 key activities which were to be completed by the end of the period. Of these, 27 have been completed, 20 are ongoing, and 12 are yet to begin. Unfortunately, those found to be ‘pending’ or ‘ongoing’ are themost critical and consequential.
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While we note with satisfaction that, with the exception of the DDR Commission, all the Agreement institutions and mechanisms have been set up and are functioning, the question really is, what have they achieved in terms of delivering their mandates and implementing the Peace Agreement?
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In the case of the NCAC and the TBC, there has been regular commendable progress in accordance with their mandates. However, as concerns the implementation of the transitional security arrangements, much more remains to be done.
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For example, those critical pending tasks include activities towards the unification of forces, which involve the process of cantonment and training, and the determination on the number and boundaries of States, and the composition and restructuring of the Council of States.
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The ongoing tasks include the work of the IBC, delivery of humanitarian assistance, the return of refugees and IDPs, release of all political prisoners and detainees, disengagement of forces, demilitarization of civilian centres, and the national healing and reconciliation process.
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From what I have just highlighted, it is clear that achievements have fallen way short of what was intended for the Pre-Transitional Period.
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Consequently, a critical issue to be addressed by the Political leaders of South Sudan is the living conditions of the almost 4 million refugees and internally displaced who are living in very difficult circumstances. These South Sudanese citizens are eagerly waiting for the security conditions to improve so as to return to their homes. Their confidence and trust will be enhanced by the commitment of political leaders to significantly improve the security environment for their voluntary and dignified return, hopefully for a better future.
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The Transitional Period is expected to commence at the end of the eight months of the Pre-Transitional Period. Therefore, the decision to be taken in the next couple of weeks should determine as to what extent, these critical pending tasks can be expedited. If we are unable to cover the lost ground during the remaining four weeks, we have to ask ourselves what should be the alternative course of action to ensure full implementation of the Agreement.
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In view of the fact that the Pre-Transitional Period is coming to an end as per the Peace Agreement, I convened consultative meetings with the Parties, South Sudanese stakeholders, regional guarantors and the international community and we agreed on critical pending tasks, which I highlighted above, that have consequential impact on the Transitional Period. I expect us to discuss this further during the discussion session. In addition, I hope that the reports from the NPTC and the security mechanisms will directly address the critical pending issues that we have collectively identified.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
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In conclusion, my expectations going forward are as follows:
• One – review the implementation status report of the tasks of the Pre-Transitional Period and make recommendations on the way forward;
• Two – urge the leadership of the Parties to the Agreement to urgently meet and agree on a roadmap on the way forward;
• Three–recommendthatIGADurgentlyconvenestheCouncil of Ministers meeting and Summit of the IGAD Heads of State and Government meeting to take stock of the status of implementation of the Peace Agreement; and
• Four–encouragethePartiestotheAgreementtocontinuetrust and confidence-building measures and undertake at the highest political level joint peace dissemination and outreach activities.
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I wish you fruitful deliberations today. Thank you.
STATEMENT
BY
H.E. LT. GEN. AUGOSTINO S.K. NJOROGE
INTERIM CHAIRPERSON
OF THE RECONSTITUTED JOINT
MONITORING & EVALUATION COMMISSION
TO THE
4th RJMEC MONTHLY MEETING
Thursday, 07 March 2019
JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
Honourable Ministers,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning.
1. I would like to start by welcoming you all to the fourth RJMEC monthly meeting.
2. I will divide my statement broadly into three sections. In the first section, I will provide an update on actions taken in fulfilment of our resolution in the last regular meeting. In the second part, I will highlight progress and challenges encountered in the implementation of the peace agreement to date, and in the third part, I will make some observations and conclude with my expectations for the coming period.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
3. In our last meeting, among other things, we reiterated our call for the immediate establishment of the IBC; reconstitution of the DDR Commission. We reminded all parties to observe the 35% representation of women; adopted the decision of our sub-committee on the NCAC matter and directed the NCAC to proceed accordingly with the constitutional amendment process.
4. We further called upon the incumbent TGoNU to make the reports of its investigation into cases of SGBV reported in Bentiu and the Luri incident public, and to take action against the perpetrators.
5. We expressed our concerns about the delayed appointment of the RJMEC Chairperson and requested the Office of the Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers to expedite the appointment process.
6. We encouraged all the Parties and stakeholders to undertake joint and coordinated dissemination of the R-ARCSS and expressed our deep concerns on the reported rising insecurity in and around the Yei area. In this regard, we urged Gen. Thomas Cirillo Swaka and all non-signatories to join in the implementation of the peace agreement.
7. Last but not least, you requested me to convene an urgent extra-ordinary meeting of the RJMEC with partners, friends and all interested actors, to discuss the serious financial and other challenges impacting on the smooth implementation of the peace agreement and to chart practical ways forward.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
8.To start with the last action point, I am happy to report that the 1st Extraordinary meeting of the RJMEC was successfully held on 19th February 2019 and discussed openly the funding challenges affecting the implementation of the pre-transitional activities. The NPTC presented its approved budget of US Dollars 285 million for the Pre-Transitional Period and its action plan.
9. The transparent and detailed budget presentation by the NPTC contributed to a good debate and very useful observations on the NPTC budget, with valuable practical proposals made for cost-cutting and the need for prioritisation. This approach should continue. I want to thank all RJMEC members, partners and friends of South Sudan who attended the meeting and engaged with the NPTC.
10. I also thank the NPTC for its willingness to engage and for being receptive to new ideas.
11. That said, funding still remains a big concern. As RJMEC we welcome the recent decision by the incumbent TGoNU to allocate an additional 10 Million US Dollars as initial funding to the NPTC. I hope that it will be made available to the NPTC without further delay. This allocation, however, only covers a small fraction-3.5% of the estimated financing needs.
12. We appreciate all those who have already contributed like Japan or made pledges like Egypt and South Africa to support implementation. We continue to appeal for more support to the peace agreement from all our partners and friends.
Excellency, ladies and gentlemen;
13. On the establishment of the IBC, there has been some commendable progress so far. The Republic of South Africa has submitted the name of its nominee to IGAD. This now brings the total number of AU C5 nominees to three, leaving only Rwanda and Chad pending.
14. As the Chair of the AU C5, the representative of South Africa is expected to chair the IBC and accordingly, the IBC can now be established. This was the same guidance we received from the Office of the Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers and the same message has been forwarded to the IGAD Executive Secretary for his immediate action.
15. There has been some progress on the reconstitution of the DDR Commission. The Parties have agreed to nominate representatives to discuss with the NPTC and incumbent TGoNU modalities for the reconstitution of the DDR Commission. They have requested the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan to facilitate this process and he has gracefully accepted to do so. We hope, therefore, that this matter will be concluded in the next couple of days.
16. With regard to the 35% representation of women, RJMEC welcomes the assurance given to women representatives by H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit that their 35% is guaranteed. I urge all parties to fulfil this commitment in letter and spirit.
17. On the investigation into the cases of SGBV reported in Bentiu, I am yet to receive a report from the incumbent TGoNU despite several reminders. The UN Human Rights Commission has published its own findings, but we hope that the government will give us a conclusive report on this matter and take action against identified perpetrators.
18. On the reported assault on the CTSAMVM team at Luri, I received correspondence from the Minister of Cabinet Affairs indicating that “the Internal Security Bureau instituted a fact-finding committee to investigate the matter in question and as a result of their report some administrative measures have been taken against elements involved.”
19. The letter further claims that “CTSAMVM/MVT accessed security restricted areas without proper coordination with authorities concerned and beyond they magnified and exaggerated the incident scene reporting.”
20. I welcome the correspondence from the incumbent TGoNU on this matter however I have requested for further details, including the full investigation report and details of the specific actions taken.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
21. On the appointment of the RJMEC Chairperson, I have information from the IGAD office that steps have been taken in this regard and that the IGAD Heads of State and Government are fully seized of this matter.
22. On the need for continued confidence building measures, joint and coordinated dissemination of the R-ARCSS, I am encouraged by the efforts being made by the Parties and all stakeholders involved. We have witnessed some practical steps being taken to make the peace agreement reach all the people of South Sudan. I will return to this later in my updates on implementation progress.
23. Finally, on the reported rise in insecurity in and around the Yei area and the appeal to all non-signatories to join in the implementation of the peace agreement, some good progress has been made. The IGAD Special Envoy has held frank discussions with Gen. Thomas Cirillo of NAS and Gen. Paul Malong Awan, both of whom have indicated their willingness to engage. We expect these engagements to intensify and conclude in the next couple of weeks.
Excellency, ladies and gentlemen;
24. On the reservations registered by the SPLM/A-IO with regard to the RJMEC decision on the NCAC constitutional amendment process and on the description of the system of government during the Pre-Transitional and Transitional Periods, I have received a response from the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan which I have communicated to the SPLM/A-IO leadership and to all members of RJMEC.
25. In summary, the Special Envoy endorsed the decision of the RJMEC and that of the NCAC and observed that there were no violations of the R-ARCSS by RJMEC and the NCAC as alleged by the SPLM/A-IO.
26. Even though, the SPLM/A-IO has also rejected the Special Envoy’s guidance on this matter and further appealed to the IGAD Summit, the endorsed RJMEC decision stands, until the IGAD Summit directs otherwise.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
27. I now turn to the second section of my statement to provide updates on the status of the implementation of the peace agreement.
28. I will start with the critical role of the NPTC and its responsibility during this Pre-Transitional Period. I am encouraged that the budget for the Pre-Transitional Period has been developed and approved by the incumbent TGoNU and it is now out for support by government, partners and stakeholders.
29. I congratulate the NPTC for this important achievement and I encourage them to spare no effort in soliciting funds and other support from the incumbent TGoNU and from all partners and friends of South Sudan.
30. Dissemination of the R-ARCSS continues to progress, with a focus on reaching as wide as possible. RJMEC Secretariat has completed the translation of public service announcements into Juba Arabic, Dinka, and Nuer. Broadcasting is due to commence shortly following quality assessment. Translation into Shilluk, Bari and Xande is also in the pipeline
31. Thousands of copies of the R-ARCSS have been distributed to places and institutions both inside and outside of Juba. These range from government ministries to civil society organizations and to Protection of Civilian camps.
32. I wish to commend H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit for his Presidential Tour initiative to Bahr el Ghazal region in dissemination of the peace agreement. I urge all parties to continue with the mobilisation of grassroots support for the peace agreement.
33. We at RJMEC continue our dissemination in coordination with the IGAD, NPTC, CTSAMVM, UNMISS, and other stakeholders including civil society organizations.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
34. The NCAC continues to make progress. You may recall that the NCAC submitted the Constitutional Amendment Bill to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs a few weeks ago. The incumbent TGoNU Council of Ministers has subsequently endorsed this Bill and it is now scheduled to be submitted to the Transitional National Legislative Assembly.
35. Furthermore, the NCAC has concluded its review and amendment of the relevant Security related legislations, except the Fire Brigade Service Act 2009 which apparently does not exist.
36. The NCAC has also successfully held a stakeholders’ validation workshop on the revised security laws, for which I must congratulate them. The NCAC Chairperson will provide more details shortly in his report.
37. The Technical Boundary Committee (TBC) has been working since its establishment on 9 January 2019. It is regrettable that two members of the TBC representing the Troika resigned recently. However, the TBC had already made significant progress and is expected to conclude its work in the next few days and to embark on report writing.
38. Security wise, the CTSAMVM report indicates that the permanent ceasefire is largely respected and is being observed by all the Parties to the R-ARCSS. The situation in and around Yei, where fighting was previously reported with NAS forces, is currently calm but remains unpredictable.
39. The JDB has reached agreement on cantonment sites for all opposition forces and designated barracks for government forces. This is a significant milestone for which the JDB and all involved in this process must be commended.
40. The SDSR Board, JMCC, JTSC and CTSAMVM Board have all been meeting and we shall hear reports of their progress shortly.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
41. There are recurring challenges that must be of concern to all of us. Time is fast running out. We are in the sixth month of the Pre-Transitional Period, with barely two months to go and several targets have been missed. The IBC is yet to be established, the DDR Commission has not been reconstituted and the cantonment of forces has not yet begun.
42. Access for CTSAMVM MVTs continues to be a challenge. CTSAMVM reported denial of access in Gorom/Tishora area, Torit and Morobo recently. I am perturbed that despite our repeated plea that CTSAMVM be given full access to perform their duties, the denial of access to CTSAMVM continues with impunity. I urge the JDB to take this matter seriously and ensure that there is no further denial of access to CTSAMVM.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
43. The humanitarian situation remains dire. According to UN OCHA’s recent report, more than 4 million of the population are still displaced. Almost 6.5 million of the population are food insecure. It is estimated that more than 9,500 people fled the recent fighting in and around Yei town.
44. However, I am encouraged that the reported number of humanitarian access impediments remain low. Only 35 access incidents were reported in January and I look forward to the number of humanitarian access impediments reducing even further.
45. In our last regular meeting, the Government committed itself to reconvene the meetings of the Humanitarian High-Level Oversight Committee and the Humanitarian Coordination Forum, but these have not taken place. I would like to encourage that these meetings are held as soon as possible to facilitate a further reduction in the number of reported humanitarian access impediments.
46. On the economy, there are some signs of normality returning. Oil fields in Unity that had been closed during the fighting are now being reopened, which has boosted total production by 33,000 barrels per day in January 2019, an increase of 25% over the average daily production in 2018.
47. The increase in oil revenue should enhance the government’s capacity to finance the implementation of the development strategy as well as to support the implementation of the R-ARCSS. These objectives can be achieved by putting in place a transparent and accountable system to manage the oil and non-oil revenues.
48. Agriculture is a crucial sector to be prioritised as it is the mainstay of the economy. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, production continues to be severely depressed compared with the pre–conflict period. The conflict-related displacement has seriously impacted the agriculture sector, thus stressing the importance of the return of people to underpin recovery.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
49. Turning to the third and final section of my statement, we are at a critical juncture in the implementation of the revitalised peace agreement. I am concerned about the slow pace of our progress, especially the functionality and capacity of some critical agreement institutions and mechanisms.
50. I recently received a letter from the Chairman of CTSAMVM proposing temporary cost-cutting measures in order to address ongoing budgetary constraints. He will present greater detail shortly in his report.
51. While we must all tighten our belts and embrace financial prudence, it is clear that some of these drastic measures will negatively impact on our ability to effectively implement or monitor the peace agreement. I, therefore, urge our partners who have been supporting CTSAMVM, and us all, to continue doing so.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
52. In conclusion, my expectations for the coming period are as follows:
53. I expect that the diplomatic efforts currently underway to engage all non-signatories to the R-ARCSS will be intensified and concluded within the shortest time possible.
54. I expect the incumbent TGoNU to make good on its pledges to the NPTC, and that the NPTC will immediately channel the requisite resources to all the implementation mechanisms to enable them to discharge their mandate. I urge the NPTC not to lose its momentum in mobilising resources from elsewhere.
55. I also expect the NCAC to continue with the commendable work they are doing, conclude the reviews and amendments of the security laws, and submit them to the incumbent Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
56. I expect that the IBC and DDR Commission shall be established and reconstituted respectively at the earliest possible time. I also expect the TBC to conclude its work and submit its report to IGAD.
57. I further demand that CTSAMVM from now on be allowed free and unimpeded access to carry out its mandate.
58. It is my hope that adequate resources will be availed to CTSAMVM to perform its critical missions.
59. I also expect the JDB to explore and deploy all practical measures to expedite the cantonment, training and the unification of all forces.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
60. I wish to commend the leadership of the agreement parties for the commitment demonstrated so far in the implementation of the peace agreement. I urge you all to continue to faithfully implement the agreement and even do more.
61. I also thank our international partners and friends for their continued support to the implementation of the peace agreement and urge them to continue with the same spirit.
62. Like I have said before, this agreement belongs to the people of South Sudan. I expect them to demonstrate their ownership by assuming the lead in its implementation.
63. I wish all of us fruitful deliberations today. I thank you.
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OPENING REMARKS
BY
H.E. LT. GEN. AUGOSTINO S.K. NJOROGE
INTERIM CHAIRPERSON
OF THERECONSTITUTED JOINT
MONITORING & EVALUATION COMMISSION
TO THE
FIRST EXTRAORDINARY RJMEC MEETING
Tuesday, 19 February 2019
JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
Honourable Ministers,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning,
1. I would like to start by welcoming all of you to this first Extraordinary meeting of the RJMEC.
2. My opening remarks this morning will be brief, and will set out how this meeting came to be convened, what its objectives are, and my expectations in that regard.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
3. In the last meeting, I was requested to convene this meeting in view of “the serious financial constraints and other challenges impacting on the smooth implementation of the tasks and activities of the various agreement institutions and mechanisms, to discuss practical ways forward.”
4. There are two main issues to discuss today: funding and security arrangements. In particular, plans and progress regarding cantonment, training, and the unification of forces. In addition, how to expedite the reconstitution of the DDR Commission.
5. Firstly, funding. Over the course of the last few meetings, and in other consultations I have held with the various Agreement institutions and mechanisms, the issue of funding has loomed large in the discussions.
6. Secondly, security arrangements. We are all aware that security is an essential component of the Pre-Transitional period, and therefore understanding the progress of cantonment in particular would be beneficial to all. Are the sites fully designated? What resources are needed for cantonment’s successful and timely completion?
7. Our objective today, therefore, is to bring out into the open the discussions needed to push these questions more substantively towards being answered. Thus, I am very interested to hear what the NPTC and JDB tell us about the answers to some of these questions.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
8. We at RJMEC have long been clear on funding. Our position is that the NPTC and the incumbent TGoNU should take the lead in mobilizing all requisite resources for implementation, establish effective mechanisms for disbursing funds, and support the other mechanisms of the Agreement to carry out their tasks. In this regard, RJMEC continues in its appeal to the partners and friends of South Sudan to support the implementation of the Agreement.
9. However, the more implementation of the peace agreement is owned by the people and government of South Sudan, the greater the chances of its success.
10. I have been equally clear about security arrangements. Ensuring that all the security institutions and mechanisms function in harmony is of critical importance, not least because of the imminent need to unify the forces.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
11. I have several expectations for today’s meeting. I expect that the NPTC will set out clearly and concisely what its plans and budget are for the Pre-Transitional Period. I also expect that the JDB will present its strategy and plans for cantonment, training and unification of forces.
12. Finally, I expect that we will have honest and frank conversations in order to address the identified challenges.
Thank you.
Honourable Ministers,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1. I would like to start by welcoming you to the third RJMEC monthly meeting, and to wish all of you a happy new year.
2. We begin 2019 with our goals clear to us, and with the degree of consensus marked by the signing of the Revitalized Agreement enduring. What we must ensure we do is achieve our goals in a timely, transparent and cooperative manner.
3. 2019 is a year in which so much is expected for South Sudan. This year will see the end of the Pre–Transitional period, as well as the beginning of the Transitional period.
4. These are major events, which if conducted as planned, will lay the foundations of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity, and are critical milestones in the implementation of the Peace Agreement for South Sudan.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
5. I will divide my statement broadly into three sections. In the first section I will address some issues that arose from the last Plenary, while in the second I will reflect on progress and challenges that are not covered in the first section. The statement will then close with my expectations for the coming period.
6. There were some pressing issues identified at the last Plenary that I wish to elaborate on now.
7. When we last met, we discussed the issue of the establishment of the Technical Boundaries Committee, the TBC, and the Independent Boundaries Commission, the IBC.
8. I can now confirm that the Technical Boundaries Committee has been constituted and has begun its work. It is on a tight schedule, but at least its capable members are in place and have begun work.
9. This is not yet the case for the Independent Boundaries Commission, and I therefore urge that the final nominations are made by the African Union C5. Ihave sent an official letter to the IGAD Special Envoy in this regard.
10. In both cases, the timeframes are clear. These mechanisms begin their specified period of time from the moment of their establishment. According to the TBC Terms of Reference, endorsed by the IGAD Special Envoy, its 60 days period began on 9 January 2019.
11. Next, the South Sudan Opposition Alliance. At the last Plenary, we discussed the issue of the split within the leadership of the SSOA. The approach taken by the RJMEC Secretariat has been to individually invite the different SSOA leaders for discussion with myself and my senior team, and two constructive consultations have taken place so far.
12. Once I have a full appreciation and understanding of the case, I will take it to the office of the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, who will mediate. At the next Plenary meeting, I hope to have more information on this development.
13. It should be made clear to all leaders of SSOA that what we have achieved so far must be well guarded, and that we must not let our unity of purpose fragment through absence of dialogue.
14. It is in the interests of the members of SSOA and the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement for leaders of SSOA to maintain their unity and integrity to ensure the effective participation of their constituency in the political process.
15. Next, with regard to the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC). It was agreed that a sub–committee composed of the Parties to the Agreement (incumbent TGoNU, SPLM/A–IO, SSOA, FDs and OPP) be established to resolve a disagreement on the description of the system of government as provided for in Article 1(4) of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan (2011), as amended.
16. The contention was whether to describe the system of governance during the Pre–Transitional and Transitional periods as either ‘decentralized’ or ‘devolved.’
17. I am happy to report that the sub–committee met on Monday 21st January 2019 and arrived at a decision which will be tabled shortly for ratification. The committee concluded that the proper description of the system of government envisaged by the R–ARCSS for the Pre-Transitional and Transitional Periods remain a decentralized system with an explicit obligation on the Revitalized TGoNU to devolve more powers and resources to the States and lower levels of government.
18. Finally, an update on reaching out to the non–signatories, as was mentioned at the last Plenary. The IGAD Special Envoy has met with General Thomas Cirilo of the National Salvation Front on a few occasions, and he has also met with General Paul Malong of the South Sudan United Front. There is no particular outcome to report yet; however, I have requested that the Special Envoy provide me with the latest update on the way forward on this matter.
19. I am concerned to learn from CTSAMVM’s report from their sixth Technical Meeting, which was published yesterday, that General Thomas Cirilo is not observing the terms of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement that he signed in December 2017. I urge General Cirilo to reconsider his decision not to join the Revitalized Peace Agreement, and I call on him to engage constructively in the political process. Furthermore, I urge all Parties to observe the permanent ceasefire.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
20. I will now move along to the second part of my statement, reflections on developments since the last Plenary.
21. When we met last in December, we reflected on the pace and momentum that we had. Now that we have just gone past the half–way mark of the Pre–Transitional period, it is fair to assess where this pace and momentum has taken us because with progress comes expectations.
22. To start with, the National Pre–Transitional Committee (NPTC). I thank Honourable Minister Lomuro for the meeting we held together since the last Plenary. I am pleased to say the NPTC’s commendable support to the representatives of the opposition parties returning to Juba, both in terms of transportation, security clearance and accommodation, continues.
23. I thank the NPTC for sending me their report, and I commend them for their regular schedule of meetings. I note with concern that not all the essential funds pledged have been released, but I am encouraged to learn that the budgets and workplans for the Agreement institutions and mechanisms have been received. We will hear the NPTC report shortly.
24. Most of the Agreement institutions and mechanisms have been reconstituted or established and are operational. However, the IBC and the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Commission are yet to be established and reconstituted respectively.
25. Under Article 2.4.9 of the Agreement, the DDR Commission should be reconstituted within 30 days following the signing of the R-ARCSS. I urge the NPTC and the incumbent TGONU to be seized of this matter and expedite its reconstitution.
26. I would like to express to all Chairpersons of the Agreement institutions and mechanisms that meetings should produce detailed, realistic, and implementable work plans, which should be operationalized as a matter of urgency.
27. I understand from the NCAC that they have made good progress with reviewing the security laws, and we will hear more from the NCAC Chairman shortly.
28. I was encouraged by the Joint Defence Board's decision last week to visit and assess potential sites for pilot cantonments in Yei, Panyume and Moroto. I would like to hear more about the outcomes of the JDB visit, as well as progress made so far by all security mechanisms in their work.
29. However, I am unhappy to hear of field commanders who continue to obstruct verification of forces by CTSAMVM as required by the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements.
30. The JDB is the supreme organ responsible for spearheading the transitional security institutions and mechanisms, and I expect the JDB to take strong action against commanders who impede the process of verification of troops and the work of CTSAMVM.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
31. There is a common refrain from a range of Agreement institutions and mechanisms, which relates to lack of funding. While I sympathize, I reiterate the point I made in my last statement.
32. That is: it is the NPTC and the incumbent TGoNU who should take the lead in mobilizing all requisite resources for implementation, establish effective mechanisms for disbursing funds, and support the other mechanisms of the Agreement to carry out their tasks without delay.
33. Meanwhile, we continue our outreach to the donor community in the search for funds to support implementation, and we reiterate our heartfelt thanks for those who have already made contributions, be it financially or in–kind.
34. There can never be enough funds, so I can only counsel to do what you can with what you have while additional support is sought. This country and its people have shown great resilience over the years. This resolve will help negotiate the challenges of the coming period.
35. However, I would call on the government to provide funding from its meagre resources to facilitate implementation of the peace agreement, especially for the transitional security mechanisms.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
36. There are two issues of utmost importance I wish to highlight. Firstly, the cases of alleged rapes in Bentiu. The outcome of the investigations needs reporting clearly and publicly. The passing of time does not lessen the pain of the crimes alleged, nor does it diminish the injustice in our collective memories.
37. The Republican Order 25/2018, which set up the investigation into this case, was issued on 19 December 2018, and allowed up to 21 working days to report back to the President, H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit. Therefore, we judge that the report is due imminently. We therefore expect to hear the outcomes of this investigation as soon as possible.
38. I am dismayed to hear that more reports of rape have recently come to light from just outside Bentiu. They are alleged to have taken place on 7 January 2019. The CTSAMVM chairman will cover this in his report today.
39. Secondly, the denial of access for CTSAMVM. We can only evaluate and assess progress in implementation through the flow of information and the objective verification of reported incidents, and so CTSAMVM needs unrestricted access.
40. We note that a Monitoring and Verification Team (MVT) was blocked on 8 January by the National Security Service at the Luri checkpoint when attempting to visit Gorom to complete the investigation on the reported incident in Tishoro on 3 January.
41. By the same token, an MVT was blocked on 9 January by an IO commander around Leer when attempting the verification of a SPLM/A–IO Brigade. Neither of these access denial examples is acceptable.
42. Worse still is the appalling and disturbing incident which took place in Luri on 18 December 2018, which greatly surpassed the act of access denial and raised very serious questions.
43. Despite my request and reminders to the incumbent TGoNU, we at RJMEC have not received a response. This is a matter of great concern, and should be given high priority. Action is needed and I call upon the investigators to report their findings and let justice take its course in a full and transparent manner.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
44. In the area of humanitarian affairs, the UN and its partners have released the Humanitarian Response Plan for 2019. It shows that an estimated 7.1 million people will be in need of humanitarian assistance in 2019. However, on a positive note, OCHA reports fewer access impediments in December, compared to the previous months. I hope this trend of decline continues.
45. I am made to understand that the meetings of the Humanitarian High–Level Oversight Committee as established by the 2016 Presidential Decree 23, and the Humanitarian Coordination Forum, have not taken place for some time now. I suggest that they are resumed as soon as possible.
46. In regard to the economy, I am pleased to report that improved management of oil revenues has contributed to increased economic stability. The financial framework for the current budget year has been designed to avoid deficits and keep public expenditure stable, even in the event of a large decline in the oil price.
47. Non–oil revenues account for a quarter of total revenues in the present budget, and I welcome the significant improvements in revenue collection reported by Customs. Increased non–oil revenues will make public finances more resilient to volatile oil prices.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
48. I would like to include a word on gender mainstreaming. I understand that there have been struggles in meeting the required quotas of women in the Agreement institutions and mechanisms.
49. In many cases, the numbers fall well below what is required by the Revitalized Agreement. This is chiefly a problem with the Parties to the agreement; civil society has shown itself more able to meet this requirement. However, including gender expertise and perspective in the work of the agreement institutions and mechanisms is still possible even if not enough women are represented.
50. I would observe that there are indeed women in the political parties that make up the Parties to this agreement. So, looking to the future, the Parties should promote the inclusion and meaningful participation of women at the policy and decision-making level through longer term capacity building.
51. I would like to add that the RJMEC Secretariat is developing a proposal for reconstituting the JMEC Working Committees that were employed to good effect during the previous agreement. Doing so will enhance our ability to conduct oversight of the Agreement’s implementation in an inclusive and participatory manner.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
52. Beyond the reporting and action on the investigations into the cases just mentioned in Bentiu and Luri, my expectations for the coming period are as follows.
53. I expect that the work of the security institutions and mechanisms will quickly gather momentum, and that practical steps shall be taken to expedite the disengagement, cantonment and unification of forces.
54. It is very important that all the armed forces of South Sudan are unified. With the rapid approach of the Transitional period, their unification will be a decisive milestone for this agreement, which is why no effort should be spared in achieving this.
55. I also expect the establishment and reconstitution of pending institutions and mechanisms without further delay, namely the DDR Commission and the IBC.
56. I expect full observation and compliance with the permanent ceasefire, leading to an improvement in the security situation throughout the country to facilitate the return of refugees and internally displaced persons.
57. Finally, I expect that the incumbent TGoNU, with the support from our regional and international partners, will provide whatever resources that can be made available to support the uninterrupted implementation of the Agreement.
58. I wish all of us fruitful deliberations today, and I look forward to a progressive 2019.
59. I thank you.
Honorable Ministers, Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
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I wish to start by welcoming all of you to the second RJMEC Plenary. The implementation of the revitalized Peace Agreement is beginning to gather pace and momentum, and I thank all RJMEC members for your contribution in this regard.
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The success of the Peace Agreement lies in the hard work and commitment of all those who have given their time and effort in the name of peace in South Sudan. I hope the people of this country will soon begin to enjoy the peace dividends.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
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Ending the suffering of the people of South Sudan is not a soundbite to be repeated endlessly – it is the most legitimate goal we aspire to. With this in mind, I wish to turn to a more detailed assessment of where we are today.
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The last Plenary was a successful event at which the Rules of Procedure and key resolutions were adopted, and I thank you all for your positive engagement to achieve this outcome.
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When we met last time, JMEC was reconstituted. This gives us not only the legal competence to discharge our mandate, but it also energizes us to approach our work with the determination and commitment befitting the role we have to play.
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More broadly, the process of implementation so far has seen many Agreement institutions and mechanisms either set up or reconstituted in order for them to perform their duties.
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Sitting above them all is the National Pre–Transitional Committee (NPTC). This is one of the most important institutions, as it coordinates and oversees implementation of crucial pre-transitional activities. This is an institution from which much is expected and will require our collective support.
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The NPTC has been set up, some funds have been pledged by the government and accounts have been opened. The NPTC has provided some commendable support to the representatives of the opposition parties returning to Juba, both in terms of security clearance and accommodation.
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9. The NPTC and the incumbent TGoNU should take the lead in mobilizing all requisite resources for implementation, establish effective mechanisms for disbursing funds, and support the other mechanisms of the Agreement to carry out their tasks without delay.
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10. I expect to hear from the NPTC Chairperson on the status of the Committee’s progress to date, including whether pledges of funds have been fulfilled and how it has mapped out the sequencing of all Pre-Transitional activities.
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11. Going forward, I would request the NPTC and all Agreement institutions to submit their monthly written reports to RJMEC to enable us to assess progress in advance of the next Plenary. We are fully behind the NPTC and reiterate our appeal to our friends and partners to contribute funds and support to the NPTC.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
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12. I am glad to inform you that the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) has equally made some commendable progress. The Committee spent three weeks in November meeting daily and diligently to incorporate provisions of the R-ARCSS into the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan 2011 (as amended)
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13. This was an invaluable exercise that required the cooperation of different representatives of the Parties and stakeholders, some of whom travelled from outside the country to participate in a spirit of trust–building and we must commend them for a job well done. We will hear a more detailed account from the Chairperson of NCAC shortly.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
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14. When we last met, I urged that the Technical Boundaries Committee (TBC) be formed. Unfortunately, not all the committee members made it to Juba as was expected last week. However, although there was no quorum, I am pleased to report that the TBC members present held preliminary discussions on their terms of reference and rules of procedure. I expect that the TBC, once constituted, will quickly commence their work.
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15. I am also pleased to report that all the transitional security arrangement mechanisms were established or reconstituted at the end of last month in Khartoum. These are the Joint Defense Board (JDB), the Joint Military Ceasefire Commission (JMCC), the Joint Transitional Security Committee (JTSC), and the Strategic Defense and Security Review Board (SDSRB). Plans have been made for all of them to hold their first meetings in Juba this month.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
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16. I cannot stress enough the importance of these security institutions, especially the JDB. While meeting within the confines of Juba or another regional capital is one thing, the complete silencing of guns throughout the entire country is needed for us to be able to talk of sustainable peace. Any bullet fired in anger is a step backwards for South Sudan as a whole, and I wish to impress upon the JDB that their cooperation and leadership is critical to the successful implementation of the entire Peace Agreement.
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17. However, I must stress that all institutions and mechanisms are important and those that are yet to be set up should be expedited and operationalized immediately.
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18. In particular, seeing some of the TBC members assemble to assess their tasks was encouraging, but now I urge that the Independent Boundaries Committee (IBC) likewise be set up so that the two can fulfil their complementary tasks. Steps must also be taken to recover time lost.
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19. We all understand that funding will always be an issue and that effective implementation of these tasks requires resources. Therefore, I urge that we spare no effort and do whatever is possible within the available means.
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20. This notwithstanding, we will continue to appeal for financial support to our international partners and friends, to whom we offer our heartfelt thanks for assistance already given, though we know the final responsibility lies with the incumbent TGoNU.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
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21. I wish to commend CTSAMVM for its continued commitment and work. Without its ongoing rhythm of monitoring and verification, our access to and understanding of the facts on the ground would be much harder.
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22. There have been successful Joint Field Visits consisting of meetings between commanders of the warring Parties outside of Juba, such as in Yei, Panyume, and Wau. The CTSAMVM report will provide more details.
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23. CTSAMVM has reported that the overall security trend is one of improvement with the Parties demonstrating an effort to comply with the terms of the Peace Agreement.
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24. However, it is concerning that CTSAMVM reports evidence of non-compliance in the recruitment of child soldiers. The report by CTSAMVM provides details.
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25. I am deeply concerned that CTSAMVM’s access to key parts of the country has been blocked at times by the SSPDF and SPLM/SPLA- IO, and that outbreaks of fighting continue to occur in the hot spots around Wau, Bentiu and Yei.
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26. Some commanders on the ground continue to claim that they have not received instructions to allow CTSAMVM access to verify their forces. Now that the JDB has been established, I expect proper command and control to take effect and I also expect the JDB to hold non-compliant commanders to account.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
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27. Ongoing instability, even if within an overall trend of improvement, has a direct negative impact on the humanitarian situation in the country.
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28. This is a time of challenge. The appalling reports of rape and violence in Bentiu are a direct affront to the safety and dignity that the Peace Agreement is supposed to bring to all people, especially women and children.
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29. I must also add that gender parity needs prioritizing and must be carried out in real and quantifiable terms. Gender mainstreaming must be incorporated in all Agreement institutions and mechanisms and throughout all aspects of implementation.
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30. A responsible media must be allowed the space to operate and contribute to the process of creating a common understanding of the implementation of the Peace Agreement.
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31. Ongoing pockets of conflict, wherever they take place, contravene the spirit of reconciliation and application of justice, required by its provisions.32. Continued denial of humanitarian access where it occurs, preventing the delivery of vital assistance to people in desperate need, likewise contravenes the letter and spirit of the Agreement.
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33. I am aware of the leadership dispute within the SSOA, and I wish to call upon the leaders to amicably resolve their differences.
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34. According to OCHA, 7 million people are in need of humanitarian aid. Over 4 million South Sudanese have fled their homes, and more than half of them to neighboring countries. Although the data available at this time does not indicate a large–scale return of refugees or IDPs, it is my hope that they will be able to return soon.
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35. Delivery of humanitarian aid remains difficult. Data from OCHA shows that since the signing of the Revitalized Agreement, there has been a reported monthly average of around 60 access impediments and three aid workers have lost their lives.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
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36. On the economic front, there is some positive news. The incumbent TGoNU has come a long way towards achieving economic stability during the last two years. The exchange rate strengthened markedly from the beginning of this financial year and has subsequently stabilized. The annual rate of inflation has come down from more than 500% in October 2016 to around 40% currently.
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37. These gains must now be consolidated, because several important development challenges lie ahead, which include facilitating the return of refugees and IDPs, restoring social services, and rebuilding infrastructure.
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38. With the recent launch of the National Development Strategy, the Incumbent TGoNU is putting in place a framework for the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement to support the long- term growth and development of the country.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
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39. It has been a busy time for the RJMEC Secretariat. We continue our process of engagement with the government and other key partners, including the African Union, the UN family, and the international community. Since our last Plenary, we have had meetings with the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, with the AU–C5 Ambassadors, and a delegation from the UN Department of Political Affairs.
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40. The Secretariat has developed a strategic plan which will be presented shortly. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who assisted the Secretariat in this process and look forward to their continued support.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
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41. Finally, I wish to close with my hopes and expectations for the days ahead and in the new year. As I said earlier, security is an essential component of the peace agreement and I expect the full implementation of the permanent ceasefire and transitional security arrangements.
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42. The establishment and operationalization of the different agreement institutions and mechanisms should be expedited and completed without delay. I expect that we will commence the New Year at full capacity and use every single day to compensate for lost time.
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43. Christmas is a season for goodwill, and I call upon all Parties to continue reaching out to one another, engage in more confidence building measures, and I also appeal for any prisoners of war and political detainees not yet released to be freed.
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44. I wish all of us fruitful deliberations today.
May God bless us all. Thank you.
Your Excellency, Dr Ismail Wais, IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan Honorable Ministers,
Your Excellencies,
Distinguised Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your Excellency, Dr Ismail Wais,
1. Let me start by taking this opportunity to thank you for reconstituting JMEC. I join you in welcoming all the members of the reconstituted JMEC to this very first Plenary.
2. I congratulate the people of South Sudan, the government and the opposition parties for choosing the path of peace and for the historic signing of the Revitalized Agreement on 12 September 2018, here in Addis Ababa.
3. May I also congratulate all of you for being nominated as members to this esteemed body. I commend the leadership of IGAD, and the Special Envoy for South Sudan and his Taskforce for their commitment, and the regional and international community for their support which led to the successful conculsion of the revitalization process.
4. I also seize this oppportunity to pay tribute to His Excellency Festus Mogae, former President of Botswana and former Chairperson of JMEC, for his wise decision to recommend the revitalization of the 2015 Peace Agreement. His leadership and support throughout the revitalization process was instrumental in its eventual success.
Honorable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
5. Allow me to also personally thank the IGAD Council of Ministers, for entrusting me with this noble responsibility as Interim Chairperson of the reconstituted JMEC.
6. Having worked with His Excellency Festus Mogae for the last two years at JMEC as his deputy, I am fully aware of the enormity of this responsibility. Therefore, I call upon your full support and cooperation, so that the reconstituted JMEC can deliver on its mandate.
7. Last Friday, I had the honour of addressing the 66th Extra-Ordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers, from which I can assure you that there is a high level of expectation placed in reconstituted JMEC by the IGAD member states. The Council of Ministers welcomed the progress in implementation made so far by the South Sudanese parties and stakeholders, and expect this momentum to be maintained. The Council also urged the Parties to observe the 35% quota of women in all Agreement institutions.
8. This august body is now reconstituted, made more inclusive, and bestowed with significant power and responsibility to monitor the Parties’ and stakeholders’ adherence to the implementation of the revitalized Peace Agreement. I can assert that we have the attention of the region as well as the people of South Sudan, and we must do our utmost to deliver.
9. To facilitate the smooth and effective implementation of the Peace Agreement, I appeal to all of you to use both the reconstituted JMEC Plenary meetings and the Office of the Chairperson to resolve any issues that might arise. I look forward to holding our future Plenaries in Juba.
Honorable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
10. It is slightly over 60 days since the R-ARCSS came into effect and the Secretariat has been keenly monitoring the status of implementation, which we have summarized in three reports issued so far. There is no doubt that some commendable progress has been made in the implementation of agreed tasks, within the timeline prescribed in the Agreement.
11. Amongst the key tasks completed so far are:
a. Ratification of the Revitalized Agreement by the Parties;
b.Nominations by the Parties and stakeholders of their representatives to various institutions and mechanisms;
c. Establishment and reconstitution of the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), the National Pre-Transitional Committee (NPTC), and the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC);
12. All the above reconstituted institutions and mechanisms have already commenced their work and are making good progress delivering on their mandates.
13. However, there are some key pending tasks as of today.
These include:
a. Establishment of new institutions such as the Independent Boundaries Commission (IBC), the Technical Boundaries Committee (TBC), the Joint Defense Board (JDB), and the Joint Transitional Security Committee (JTSC), which are critical for implementation of some Pre-Transitional activities.
b. Reconstitution of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) Board, the Joint Military Ceasefire Commission (JMCC), and the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (DDRC).
14. I would like to make clear that the formation of the IBC and TBC, two critical institutions for the Pre-Transitional period, are long overdue. However, I welcome the Council of Ministers’ decision last Friday to urgently take steps to expedite their establishment.
15. Despite the overall decline in ceasefire violations and humanitarian access problems, I am concerned both by the reported fighting that took place in the areas of Wau and Yei River State, and the denial of humanitarian access, such as in the area of Rubkuay, Unity State, last month.
16. I understand that some of those involved in the fighting were non- signatories to the Peace Agreement. In this regard, I welcome the decision of the IGAD Council of Ministers taken at the 66th Extra-ordinary Session to invite the non-signatories to join in its implementation. The ceasefire and humanitarian access must be complete throughout the country and without exception for the people of South Sudan to live in safety and dignity.
17. However, I am encouraged by the Parties’ joint efforts to build confidence through visits to hot spots, and to de-escalate the fighting. CTSAMVM will provide a detailed briefing shortly.
Honorable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen
18. I am greatly encouraged by the demonstrable political will of the Parties to implement the Peace Agreement in letter and spirit.
19. Even as we gather here today, many of the opposition leaders and representatives have returned to Juba and are actively participating in the NPTC and NCAC, in the spirit of the Peace Agreement. The Chairpersons of CTSAMVM and the NCAC will shortly give their progress reports on the implementation of their respective tasks.
20. As we witnessed during the Peace Celebrations in Juba, as well as elsewhere in the country, the people of South Sudan have embraced the revitalized Peace Agreement. The Parties must now fulfil the people’s aspiration for peace and make it a reality.
21. I commend His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, his brother Dr Riek Machar Teny and the leadership of the different parties for this renewed spirit of collaboration. I further encourage South Sudanese leaders to explore more joint initiatives for confidence building including outside Juba, in the States and in neighbouring countries where significant numbers of South Sudanese citizens temporarily reside.
Honorable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen
22. Let me take this opportunity to address our partners, the regional and international community represented here. You have stood side by side with the people of South Sudan from the beginning and therefore, we welcome your continued support at this critical hour of need and hope.
23. This revitalized agreement has the necessary checks and balances to ensure its full implementation. Unlike the 2015 Peace Agreement, this Agreement has a number of activities to be conducted within eight months to demonstrate the commitment of the Parties.
24. While the government in Juba is expected to lead the way, the prescribed tasks can only be sufficiently accomplished with your backing.
25. I commend the South Sudanese government for its initial contribution to the National Pre-Transitional Committee Fund (NPTF) of SSP 100 million and USD 1 million, and I urge the government to continue its funding of the key Pre-Transitional activities as the onus to do so lies with the government.
26. I also appeal to our international partners: the Troika, the EU, China, the UN, and all the members of the International Partners Forum to extend the requisite support to the government and to all the Pre-Transitional institutions and mechanisms.
Honorable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen
27. In conclusion, I look forward to working very closely with all of you, in a collaborative and collegial manner, and I pledge our total commitment to support the Parties to implement this agreement in letter and spirit.
28. I expect this inaugural Plenary to review and endorse our Rules of Procedure and Resolutions template as well as receive progress reports from the NCAC and the CTSAMVM.
May God bless us all. Thank you.