Time running out for cantonment of forces, says RJMEC

RJMEC Interim Chairperson H.E Ambassador Lt .Gen. Augostino Njoroge (Center) delivers his statement during the meeting. With him are RJMEC Chief of Staff, Ambassador Berhanu Kebede (right) and Deputy Chief of Staff-Strategy, Dr. Thomson Fontaine. RJMEC Interim Chairperson H.E Ambassador Lt .Gen. Augostino Njoroge (Center) delivers his statement during the meeting. With him are RJMEC Chief of Staff, Ambassador Berhanu Kebede (right) and Deputy Chief of Staff-Strategy, Dr. Thomson Fontaine.
Thursday, 12 September 2019 08:30

While noting some progress has been made on the operationalization of cantonment sites, time is running out for the cantonment, selection and training of the 50% of the 83,000 Necessary Unified Force (NUF) to be completed by September 30, 2019, RJMEC Interim Chairperson has said.

As such, the Interim Chairperson urged Joint Defence Board (JDB) to provide leadership in planning and coordination “in order to ensure expeditious and concurrent implementation of the cantonment and training of forces.” 
 Further, Ambassador Njoroge called on the DDR (Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration) Commission to immediately operationalize an action plan, which, he said, is vital to the cantonment process. 


Additionally, Ambassador Njoroge applauded the recent face-to-face meeting between His Excellency Salva Kiir and the leader of the SPLM/A-IO, Dr. Riek Machar, saying that such meetings are critical for the successful implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement.

“Their commitment to resolve the outstanding issues, either personally or by putting in place official mechanisms, is critical for the successful implementation in order to build trust and confidence among themselves and address the challenges facing implementation,” he said. 


“I must remind the Parties once again how short the time is, and that they must work closely together in order to accomplish the remaining critical pending Pre-Transitional tasks within the remaining two months,” 
he added.