HonourableMinisters, 

Excellencies, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning.

1.   Let me start by wishing all of you a Happy New Year, and I am sure you will join me in hoping that this will be the year that will herald lasting peace for the people of South Sudan. Before proceeding, I would like to make a few points. Firstly, I would like to inform you that the latest RJMEC Quarterly Report for the fourth quarter of 2019, is now ready, and a copy will be provided to you today. Next, I would like to welcome the new CTSAMVM Chairperson, Major General Teshome Gemechu Aderie, and in the same vein, I would like to appreciate the contribution of his predecessor, Major General Desta, as well as congratulate him on his recent promotion to Lt. General. I wish him all the best in his future endeavours. On a sad note, I wish on the behalf of the RJMEC members, to offer our condolences to the family and friends of the Honourable Steward Sorobo Budia, a signatory to the Agreement for the United Democratic Party, who passed on recently. 

2.   As all of us are aware, we have passed the 50 days mark of the 100 days extension, and in fact, today we are only 30 days away from the expiry of the 100 days extension. As you may recall in the last RJMEC updated status of implementation of agreed Pre-Transitional tasks, we highlighted the ten critical Pre-Transitional tasks that were outstanding, in addition to the issue of the number of states and their boundaries. I am concerned that with only 30 days left, these same Pre-Transitional tasks are still outstanding.

3.   In my statement today, I will highlight the status of implementation of the critical Pre-Transitional tasks since our last monthly meeting, highlight some recurring issues, and I will then conclude with my recommendations on the way forward.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

4.    As has been clear throughout the statements I have made to this and other meetings, there are two critical pending tasks necessary for the formation of the R-TGoNU on a solid foundation. They are the unification of forces, and the issue of the number of states and their boundaries. 

5.   Firstly, the unification of forces. There have been thousands of troops reporting to training centres, having been transported from cantonment sites. The JTSC will provide a clearer picture in its report shortly.  However, I am concerned that the screening of forces has not started yet, even though the screening teams are reported to be ready to begin. Of course, no training can take place before screening, and the more it is delayed, the more the time that will be lost in beginning the training of the Necessary Unified Forces (NUF). I therefore urge the Joint Defence Board (JDB) to ensure that the screening, selection and training of forces starts immediately in consultation with the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration Commission.  

6.   With regard to observation of the Permanent Ceasefire, I would like to express my concern regarding the developments in Maiwut. The reported loss of life and displacement of the civilian population are unacceptable. I understand that the SSPDF and SPLM/A-IO have taken steps to address the situation. CTSAMVM will give further details in its report. In addition, I call on the concerned parties to cease all hostilities, and to fully observe the Permanent Ceasefire. I also urge the authorities to take steps to ensure the protection of the civilian population.

7.   Furthermore, I remain concerned by the continued occupation of civilian centres contrary to Article 2.2.3.1 of the R-ARCSS. This is an issue that should be straightforward to resolve, but it continues to come up. CTSAMVM’s recent report shows that in the last month, buildings in two schools have been occupied by the SSPDF. This makes a total of 25 occupied buildings, of which 24 are by the SSPDF and 1 by SPLM/A-IO. I would like to ask the JDB to explain why this continues to be an issue. 

8.   Secondly, the issue of the number of states and their boundaries remains outstanding despite several efforts to resolve it. Following the directive of the IGAD Council of Ministers at its 69thExtra-Ordinary session[1], the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan convened two rounds of meetings facilitated by H.E. David Mabuza, the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, and the Regional Special Envoys. The meetings adjourned last week with a proposal for the establishment of an Arbitration Committee to settle the matter, and the Parties were given a week to deliberate on the proposal. I wish to commend H.E. David Mabuza and the Special Envoys for their efforts thus far, and I encourage them to continue engaging the Parties. As RJMEC Chair, I appeal to the leadership of the Parties to compromise and take all necessary steps to arrive at a consensual and pragmatic political solution.   

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen 

9.   Overall, my observation is that the optimism that the Security Mechanisms expressed at the last monthly meeting has not been matched by their performance in implementation since then. All of them have fallen behind the timelines of their action plans. Despite the commitment by the Security Mechanisms to coordinate their activities more closely, this still has not happened. I urge the JDB to remedy the situation as soon as possible. I also expect that the implementation will be fast-tracked in the remaining 30 days. It is also essential that additional funds be provided, and that the requirements of accountability and transparency are observed. 

10.  I am encouraged by reports of continuing in-kind support being extended by some partners. In this regard, I would like to thank the governments of Japan and China for their most recent donations. That said, I remain concerned with the very slow distribution of these donations from Juba to the designated cantonment sites and training centres. I urge the NPTC to ensure the immediate distribution of all the in-kind donations to the designated sites, and to clear up any confusion about roles and responsibilities in this regard. I once again appeal for more support for the implementation of the Agreement.  

11.  On the engagement with the hold-out groups in the peace process, I was pleased to learn of the Sant’Egidio-facilitated meeting in Rome and the resulting declaration on the cessation of hostilities and commitment to dialogue. I welcome this development, and appeal to IGAD and the Parties to embrace this process. 

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen 

12.   In view of the above, my recommendations are as follows.

a)   The mid-term review of the 100 days extension to be immediately conducted by the Guarantors to assess the status of implementation of the security-related critical Pre-Transitional tasks, to determine the way forward;

b)  The Security Mechanisms to enhance their cooperation and take steps to expedite and concurrently implement the pending tasks of screening, selection and training of the NUF;

c)   The leadership of the Parties to demonstrate the spirit of compromise and press for a timely political resolution of the issue of the number of states and their boundaries;  

d)  More funding be availed to the Security Mechanisms to enable progress of the unification of forces, while observing the requirements of accountability and transparency;

e)   In-kind support stored in Juba to be transported to the cantonment sites and training centres according to the needs, and to that end, I recommend that the JDB be tasked with delivering these resources; and

f)    All occupied civilian buildings to be vacated without exception.

13.  Finally, I had written to the Mechanisms directing them to focus their reports specifically on the progress of the implementation of the activities planned to be executed during the 100 days extension, challenges faced, and the way forward in addressing the remaining tasks. I therefore expect this meeting to carefully consider the reports of the Mechanisms, review the progress made, and provide guidance on the way forward.

14.  I wish you fruitful deliberations.

Thank you.