During the meeting, RJMEC Interim Chairperson Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said that a lack of implementation of the Transitional Security Arrangements remains a “critical concern”.

“Even though some progress has been made in some areas of implementation of the (Peace) Agreement, a critical concern remains on the security arrangements, which is fundamental to the peace process.” General Gituai also appealed to the Parties to “urgently resolve the issue of the ratio of the unified forces and the unified command structure of the Necessary Unified Forces.” 

The Interim Chairperson further urged the RTGoNU (Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity), “in the spirit of addressing the insecurity in the country”, to expedite the unification of forces and the Transitional Security Arrangements, and establish the state security committees.

“I urge the RTGoNU to make financial resources available for the completion of the Transitional Security Arrangements, including graduation and redeployment of unified forces,” he added.

Emphasising the importance of the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) and the Council of States, Maj. Gen. Gituai told the meeting that the swearing in of the members of these bodies should take place, while adhering to the 35% level of women representation and fair representation of the youth.

“This is important, particularly in the case of the TNLA because it should, upon commencement of its work, immediately ratify some important legislation that has been held up,” he said.

In his recommendations, the Interim Chairperson appealed to the Parties to the Agreement for continued dialogue and trust- and confidence-building among them on all unresolved issues, “with a greater show of political will and commitment.”

“With the memories of celebrating ten years of independence fresh in our minds, we note that the months of August and September mark the halfway point of the Transitional Period and the three years since the signing of the R-ARCSS respectively.”

“It is therefore imperative that the RTGoNU redoubles its efforts on the implementation of the remaining tasks that lay ahead of them,” he noted.