REMARKS BY H.E. AMB. MAJ GEN (RTD) CHARLES TAI GITUAI INTERIM CHAIRPERSON, RJMEC AT THE GRADUATION OF THE UNIFIED FORCES

TUESDAY, 30 AUGUST 2022

JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

·      H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan; 

·      H.E. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Chairperson of the Sovereignty Council of Sudan and Chair of IGAD;

·      H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda;

·      H.E. Dr Riek Machar Teny, First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan;

·      H.E. Hussein Abdelbagi Akol, Vice President and representative of South Sudan Opposition Alliance;

·      Excellencies Vice Presidents of the Republic of South Sudan;

·      Distinguished representatives of the Governments of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Republic of Rwanda and the United Republic of Tanzania. 

·      Hon. Tut Gatluak Manime, Chairperson of NTC,

·      Hon. Ministers, 

·      Excellencies Ambassadors

·      Distinguished Guests, 

·      Ladies and Gentlemen.

Good afternoon! Asalamu Aleykum!

1.   It gives me great pleasure to speak at this historic event in the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. Today’s graduation of the first batch of the Necessary Unified Forces, is an important milestone as envisaged under Chapter II of the Agreement. 

2.   As the Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, the institution responsible for the overall oversight of the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, I do not take this occasion lightly, given the challenges which the Parties encountered in the unification of forces.  

3.   In this regard, I would like to congratulate H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E Dr. Riek Machar Teny, First Vice President and all the Four Vice Presidents, for making this leap forward. I also commend the National Transitional Committee, the Joint Defense Board (JDB), the Joint Transitional Security Committee and the Joint Military Ceasefire Commission for working collectively to achieve this milestone.

4.   I would also like to commend H.E. Lt. Gen. Abdel Fatteh al Burhan, Chairperson of the Sovereignty Council of Sudan and Chairperson of IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government and other IGAD Heads of State and Government, for their unwavering efforts and commitment to support the South Sudan peace process. 

Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

5.   This graduation ceremony today symbolizes national unity, the spirit of patriotism, loyalty to the constitution and to the country. The unified forces reflect the national character of the people of South Sudan. 

6.   I would like to congratulate the graduating unified forces for their endurance, commitment and determination to serve the country as members of the security forces. As professional, apolitical security forces, the spirit of comradeship, discipline, espirit de corps and loyalty that you have developed during your training should serve as your guiding values as you get redeployed to your respective units.  

7.   Let this spirit of unification of forces be one of the building blocks in promoting national unity, reconciliation and cohesion which should be emulated across the country. The unified forces will enable the realization of a united, secure, peaceful and prosperous South Sudan.

Excellencies, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

8.   As I have always said, the unification of forces is the backbone of the Revitalized Peace Agreement. Despite the challenges, this graduation is a testament and a clear indication of the determination by the Government of Republic of South Sudan to stay the course of peace. 

9.   However, despite this achievement, we have a long way to go to attain full unification of forces, including disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of ineligible candidates for the unification. We expect this momentum to be maintained and Phase II of unification to commence as quickly as possible.  

10.  I also take this opportunity to commend the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity for positively responding to the RJMEC’s request and prepared a Roadmap to a Peaceful and Democratic end to the Transitional Period of the Revitalized Peace Agreement. RJMEC has now scheduled an extraordinary meeting for this Thursday for the members to deliberate on the Roadmap.

11.  As I conclude, it is my sincere hope and expectation that this graduation will also provide a timely boost to the overall implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement going forward. Much remains to be done across all the chapters of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, especially in the Permanent Constitution-making process, legislative reforms and the necessary preparations for free, fair and credible elections at the end of the Transitional Period. 

12.  I appeal to you all to build on this momentum that the graduation provides.

I Thank You.