Focus on the legislative preparations for constitutional, elections processes, Legislators told
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) on Friday, May 10, 2022 convened its 4th sensitisation workshop on the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) for the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly (RTNLA) of the Republic of South Sudan.
Speaking at the opening of the workshop in Juba, RJMEC Chief of Staff, Ambassador Berhanu Kebede said:
“At this critical time on the Agreement timelines, it is imperative for RTNLA to prioritize and focus on the legislative preparations for constitutional making and elections processes which are essential requirements of the Agreement, in order to transition the country to a democratic dispensation.”
In his remarks, Ambassador Kebede asked the members “to ensure appropriate and timely legislation that will hasten the achievement of the election process within the timelines.”
“I wish to underscore to you as members of the RTNLA, the importance of a people-led and people-owned Permanent Constitution, which will be the cornerstone of the state of South Sudan, preparing the way for a smooth transition through free, fair and credible elections.”
“As the legislative arm of Government, I take this opportunity to remind you of the critical role your institution plays in ensuring that the necessary legislation is enacted to enable this process to commence expeditiously,” he added.
Ambassador Kebede noted, “Time is now of the essence. There is anxiety amongst the parties to the R-ARCSS and peace partners regarding how the outstanding tasks of the R-ARCSS shall be expeditiously implemented within the remaining period of the transition.”
The Chief of Staff called on the Parties to the R-ARCSS “to continue to build on the peace dividends made so far, adhere to their commitments to peace, take steps to restore broken relationships, build trust and confidence among yourselves, turn a new page; and inculcate the necessary political will which shall move the country forward towards enduring peace and stability.”
The workshop, bringing together the first batch of the 550 members of the RTNLA, is geared to familiarise the members on the content of the Revitalised Peace Agreement and also provide updates on the current status of its implementation.
“It is therefore important for you, as national leaders, to have a better and common understanding of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, get clarity on critical content-related questions and issues surrounding its implementation, and provide it with full support,” Ambassador Kebede said.
