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Communication Office
PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Publication)
Tuesday, November 19, 2019 , Juba, South Sudan
THE CLOCK IS TICKING, SAYS RJMEC AS JOINT SECURITY MECHANISM WORKSHOP COMES TO A CLOSE IN JUBA
A two-day jointworkshop convened together by RJMEC, IGAD, AU Commission and CTSAMVM for the Revitalized Peace Agreement security mechanisms came to a close on Tuesday.
The workshop was aimed at agreeing on a roadmap with clear timelines for the implementation of Transitional Security Arrangements within the one hundred (100) days extension" of the Pre-transitional period.
Speaking during the closing ceremony n Juba, RJMEC Interim Chairperson H.E Ambassador Lt. Gen. Augostino said:
“All of us know that time is against us, and this should keep us focused on achieving the tasks that have unfortunately held up the formation of the RTGoNU (Reconstituted Government of National Unity), on a solid foundation.”
He added, “Similarly, I would like to remind all of you of the need to fine-tune your budgets and keep them realistic, and to implement activities according to principles of transparency and accountability. I also urge the Mechanisms at the same time to focus on the implementation of tasks that do not cost money.”
“The clock is ticking, and your work and commitment to the people of South Sudan is clear and much needed,” he said.
Ambassador Njoroge reiterated on the importance of funding for the tasks identified by the Mechanisms.
“I continue to urge the Government to release the necessary funding so that the plans deliberated at this workshop can be put into action without any delay,” he said.
“One day without funding is one day wasted, and surely the release of funds is a strong indicator of political will,” he concluded.
ENDS
Communication Office
PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Publication)
Monday, 18thNovember, 2019 , Juba, South Sudan
RJMEC: LACK OF FUNDS IMPEDING REMAINING CRTITICAL TASKS
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC) in collaboration with IGAD, CTSAMVM and the African Union Commission have on Monday 18thNovember, 2019, convened a two-day workshop for the Revitalized Peace Agreement security mechanisms in Juba.
This follows the IGAD Council of Ministers communiqué on 10thNovember, 2019, which among other things, "...instructed the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan in collaboration with R-JMEC, CTSAMVM and the African Union Commission to urgently organize a workshop for security mechanisms in Juba to agree on a roadmap with clear timeline for the implementation of Transitional Security Arrangements within the one hundred (100) days extension" of the Pre-transitional period.
Speaking during the opening of the workshop, RJMEC Interim Chairperson Ambassador Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge said:
“We all understand that without funds, not much can be implemented. The timely and predictable flow of funds is paramount.”
He added: “RJMEC has consistently called for the release of funds and continue to urge the ITGoNU (Incumbent Transitional Government of National Unity) to immediately release the requisite funding, in the understanding that one day without funding is a day lost.”
The Interim Chairperson gave the following recommendations for the NPTC and the Security Mechanisms during the 100 days extension:
a) Each mechanism should adhere strictly to the activities and timeframe as set out in the respective work plans;
b) Each mechanism should have the highest regard for cost effectiveness and transparency;
c) The NPTC should establish dedicated budget lines for each mechanism, and set up an account for each, which would promote accountability and transparency according to the letter and spirit of Article 1.4.8;
d) Each mechanism should account for the funds it has received to date;
e) Each mechanism should establish and commit to an effective and realistic system of coordination between all the various mechanisms to avoid duplication of effort and ensure effective and efficient utilisation of resources; and
f) Each mechanism should develop a standardised and regular reporting system so that progress can be clearly evaluated against benchmarks.
The workshop is expected to identify, prioritize, sequence and cost critical tasks to be accomplished by each mechanism during the 100 days extension, and determine specific timelines for the accomplishment of outstanding tasks.
ENDS
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Communication Office
PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Release)
Thursday, October 17, 2019, Juba, South Sudan
RJMEC CONVENES 1Oth PLENARY MEETING, HIGHLIGHTS CRITICAL OUTSTANDING ORE-TRANSITIONAL TASKS AHEAD OF November 12thDEADLINE
The 10thMonthly Plenary Meeting of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) was held on Thursday 17thOctober in Juba, South Sudan.
Speaking during the opening of the meeting that brought together Parties to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and other stakeholders, RJMEC Interim Chairperson Ambassador Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge said:
“This meeting is important because the extended Pre-Transitional Period is due to end in less than four weeks. Ideally, at this stage we should all be excited with the real prospect of the RTGoNU (Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity) being formed, but unfortunately, we still have a lot of work to do in the days ahead to cross this bridge."
n his statement to the RJMEC members, the Interim Chairperson highlighted progress made in the cantonment of forces.
“Out of the 25 designated cantonment sites for the opposition and 10 barracks for government forces, 24 cantonment sites and 6 barracks are operational,” he said.
However, he stressed the need to fastrack the registration and screening in the remaining sites particularly components of the police and the national security.
Ambassador Njoroge went on to highlight other critical pending tasks vital to the formation of the RTGoNU. These include the resolution of the number and boundaries of the States, enactment of the Constitutional Amendment Bill and the other Bills, and agreement on allocation of ministerial portfolios. Others are the submission by the Parties of their nominees for the TNLA (Transitional National Legislative Assembly) to the NCAC (National Constitutional Amendment Committee) and the complete demilitarization of civilian centers.
In his conclusion, the RJMEC Interim Chairperson made the following recommendations:
a. The Incumbent TGoNU should, as a matter of urgency, availmore andadequate resources to the NPTCtofacilitate on-going cantonment, concurrent training and deployment of forces;
b. The Parties should meet and resolve the outstanding issue of the number and boundaries of States without further delay;
c. The leadership of the Parties should meet very soon and agree on what options are available come the 12thNovember deadline and
d. The regional and international partners and friends of South Sudan should enhance their financial, political and in-kind support to the full implementation of the R-ARCSS.
ENDS
Communication Office
PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Release)
Thursday, October 03, 2019, Juba, South Sudan
RJMEC supports R-ARCSS dissemination training for S. Sudan teachers
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation (RJMEC) in collaboration with Hold the Child Organization have convened a two-day workshop aimed at orientating primary and secondary school teachers on the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
While officially opening the workshop in Juba on Thursday, RJMEC Deputy of Staff in charge of Strategy, Dr. Thomson Fontaine, said that the revitalized Agreement provides an opportunity for the country to emerge from years of war.
“It is encouraging to see that since the signing of the Agreement in September 2018, though the progress is slow, the permanent ceasefire has held across the country and strides made in its implementation,” he added.
The workshop under the theme ‘The peace we have, the peace we share’ brought together 90 teachers representing different schools in South Sudan.
Dr. Fontaine said RJMEC will continue to encourage the South Sudanese political actors with the support of the region and the international community, to put an end to the conflict and lay the foundation for peace in the Republic of South Sudan.
While encouraging the teachers to play a part in contributing towards sustainable peace in the country, Dr. Fontaine said:
“Your privileged position as teachers and mentors of the future generation, gives you the power to disseminate the objective of the peace Agreement and to rally behind the whole South Sudanese society to support the Agreement.”
Communication Office
PRESS STATEMENT
(For Immediate Release)
Friday, September 26,2019, Nairobi, Kenya
The Interim Chairperson of RJMEC, Amb. Lt. Gen. Augustino S.K. Njoroge (Rtd) presented a paper on “Integrating South Sudan in the East African Community” at the High-Level Conference on Trade Integration 2019 held from 25 – 27 September 2019 at Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya. This Conference was convened by the Secretariat of the EAC on the theme: Enhancing trade integration in the East African Community.
In his presentation, the Interim Chairperson demonstrated how the South Sudan peace process is a critical ingredient for her successful and effective political integration in the EAC. He argues that post-conflict stabilization, including all necessary reforms that would result in independent, accountable and strong institutions of governance in South Sudan are crucial for effective and holistic integration in the EAC.
The Interim Chairperson further stated that Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) provides an opportunity for facilitating effective integration of a peaceful, democratic and prosperous South Sudan in the EAC. He adds, “the R-ARCSS offers a broad framework to achieve the aspiration for stabilization of the country through a series of comprehensive political, security, humanitarian, economic and constitutional reforms”.
The Interim Chairperson concluded that the integration of South Sudan in the EAC should be expedited and not wait for the end of the transitional period.
Finally, the Interim Chairperson recommended that the EAC should engage more with South Sudan and give her special considerations in view of her current post-conflict status, and also appealed to the EAC member states to support their South Sudan counterpart to fully implement the Revitalized Peace Agreement. -–Ends--
Communication Office
PRESS STATEMENT
(For Immediate Release)
Thursday, September 12 2019, Juba, South Sudan
TIME RUNNING OUT FOR CANTONMENT OF FORCES, SAYS RJMEC
At the 9thmonthly meeting of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), the Interim Chairperson, H.E. Ambassador Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge, noted that while 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.
Accordingly, Ambassador Lt. Gen. Augostino 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.
Ambassador Njoroge concluded, telling those present: “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.”
ENDS
Communication Office
PRESS STATEMENT
(For Immediate Release)
Friday, September 06 2019, Juba, South Sudan
RJMEC Interim Chairperson lauds AUC, China donation to cantonment sites
I am delighted today to have witnessed the hand-over of in-kind support destined for different parts of South Sudan in order to facilitate the cantonment process. The materials were kindly donated by the African Union Commission (AUC).
The in-kind support, which is in the form of large, durable tents to house former combatants while they undergo cantonment, will go a long way in furthering the cantonment process.
This is indeed a great step towards achieving successful cantonment, which is an essential component of the Pre-Transitional tasks.
I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank the AUC for the consignment, and I urge all other partners to offer their unwavering support towards the critical process of cantonment. It is my hope that more support will arrive in the coming days and weeks.
I would also like to acknowledge the donation of 1500 tons of rice from the government of The People’s Republic of China which has been received. Through the Ambassador of China, I would like to extend my thanks to the government of The People’s Republic of China.
It is my expectation that by end of this month, September, we will have attained the required number of troops, that is 50% of the Necessary Unified Forces.
The hand-over of the AUC and Chinese consignments comes at a time when the R-ARCSS is shortly to mark the first anniversary of its signing, which is on 12 September 2018. I hope that together we will achieve much more before the end of the extended Pre-Transitional period.
Thank you very much.Thank you very much.
H.E Ambassador Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge,
Interim Chairperson, The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC)
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has urged Parties to expedite the process of cantonment of troops arriving in verified Cantonment Sites and in Barracks.
Speaking during the opening session of the consultative meeting of the Parties to the Agreement held in Addis Ababa on Wednesday, RJMEC Interim Chairperson Amb. Lt. General Augostino Njoroge said “Accordingly, the Parties should give direction and timelines on operationalization of several cantonment sites across the country and in respective States as a start and within the remaining Pre-Transitional Period”.
“Parties must also give direction and timelines on commencement of training centers across the country and in the respective regions, including training of officers identified for VIP protection”, he added.
While addressing the attendees at the meeting, Amb. Njoroge in addition pointed out that the Permanent Ceasefire had continued to hold, and this has resulted in an overall improvement in the general security situation across the country. “I commend all the Parties for observing the Permanent Ceasefire. The security situation has contributed to improved access to humanitarian activities, including decisions by some refugees and IDPs to spontaneously return to their areas”
He also urged the National Pre-Transition Committee (NPTC) to organize more joint confidence building measures among the Parties as well as joint dissemination of the R-ARCSS to enhance better understanding, ownership, healing and reconciliation in the country.
“ The Government must fulfil its pledge of funding the implementation of the R-ARCSS in a timely and predictable manner”, he added.
ENDS
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) in collaboration with the Female Journalists Network and the Association of Media Women in South Sudan have on Wednesday July 10, 2019 convened a two-day workshop for female journalists.
The workshop is aimed at sensitising women media practitioners on their role in promoting women representation and participation in the dissemination and implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and further push for the implementation of the 35% affirmative action through the media.
Speaking during the opening of the workshop in Juba, RJMEC Chief of Staff Ambassador Berhanu Kebede said: “As South Sudan continues in its path for peace, it is now time for all the women in the country, to unite and together push for their representation, participation and inclusion in the various levels of government, and in the decision making processes to ensure that not only are their voices heard, but also to ensure their contribution in the search for sustainable peace and development.”
He added that the participation of women is needed to not only address the injustices but also to recognize the huge role they play in the transformation of society.
The workshop, themed “Empowering female journalists to play a role in creating awareness of women representation and participation in the peace process through their reporting”brought together 40 female media practitioners in South Sudan. Further, the Chief of Staff noted the importance of the media in campaigns against gender-based violence, shaping perceptions and opinions of communities as well as policy makers.
“Media can contribute positively to the implementation of the Peace Agreement by informing the law review and criminal justice reform processes that are contemplated, especially as regards the rights of women, children and vulnerable populations such as IDP’s and refugees,” he said.