I am taking over the responsibilities of the Interim Chair at a time when significant milestones have been achieved in the South Sudan peace process over the last four years, due to the concerted efforts and sacrifice of many. It is my conviction that in South Sudan, there is the resilience and zeal to build on this achievement and reinvigorate the implementation of the Agreement. I would like to assure you that RJMEC will continue to undertake its mandate and mission in the spirit of conviviality and a collegial atmosphere. 

I have a military background, and during my career, I was privileged to have served in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) and Somalia (AMISOM). Both countries have undergone serious political and security challenges and share some similarities with South Sudan, since they are emerging from the devastating consequences of protracted conflict. It took IGAD mediation many years to achieve the first Somalia Transitional Charter. 

Comparatively, it took South Sudan just a few years to agree on a Transitional Government of National Unity. This is a strong testament to the traditional dialogue and reconciliatory spirit of the South Sudanese people, and particularly the contributions and sacrifices of women and the youth of this country when South Sudan was undergoing these challenges. 

History is full of examples where nations have drawn a line under a challenging past of conflicts and civil strife through a spirit of consensus, cooperation and collegiality. I believe that the framework of the Revitalised Peace Agreement provides a credible and fair basis and platform that lays the foundations of sustainable peace. The successful implementation of this Agreement calls for continued collective sacrifice and a consensus on the best options and approaches to make this nation peaceful and prosperous. 

For my part as the new Chair of RJMEC, I will focus on giving strategic direction to the monitoring and evaluation mechanism in overseeing the implementation of the Agreement within the procedural guidelines and mandate of RJMEC. 

I wish to recognise the contributions of the representatives of governments, international organisations, diplomatic community and the wider stakeholders who have been unwaveringly committed and continue to engage in bringing about a genuinely inclusive and mutually negotiated political settlement to the crisis in South Sudan. Recognising that each of our organisations and institutions has unique expertise, instruments, and capacities, we therefore need to further integrate and harness our collective resources and potential, in order to leverage the situation in South Sudan. I would like to point out the important roles played by our valued partners, IGAD, the AU, UNMISS, the Troika, China, Japan, Canada, Sweden the EU, and others. As we may be aware, the peace process is undergoing a testing phase, especially in light of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and the floods which together compel us to galvanize continued and sustained support. 

The recent positive and encouraging developments such as the appointment of State level governors, the continued holding of the Permanent Ceasefire between the Parties to the Agreement and the continued compromises being made are indeed welcome as a way forward. 

However, more is needed as so much is to be accomplished in the Transitional Period. The Parties to the Agreement are now united in the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity, and this is their time to shine by driving and setting the pace of implementation. Public trust and confidence in the implementation of the Agreement must be strengthened. 

Finally, to my predecessor and mentor, Ambassador Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge, I thank you for a job well done! As you walked through the sands of the South Sudanese peace process, you have left a permanent and an indelible mark, and I wish you every success in your future endeavours. 

May God bless and guide South Sudan as the country continues on its path to sustainable peace and prosperity. 

The writer is the recently appointed Interim Chair of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC).