STATEMENT BY H.E. AMB. MAJ GEN (RTD) CHARLES TAI GITUAI  INTERIM CHAIRPERSON, RJMEC TO THE 2ND EXTRAORDINARY RJMEC MEETING, THURSDAY, 1ST SEPTEMBER 2022, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

Honourable Members, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning!

1.   I welcome you all to the 2nd Extraordinary meeting of the RJMEC. As you may recall, the 1stExtraordinary meeting of RJMEC was held about three and a half years ago, on 19th February 2019, during which the National Pre-Transitional Committee (NPTC) presented its detailed budget, roadmap, financing needs and status of the implementation of the Pre-Transitional activities, as well as financial and other challenges impeding implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

2.   Pursuant to Article 7.12 of the R-ARCSS, RJMEC is mandated to hold regular meetings, and to convene Extraordinary meetings as may be required. Accordingly, and as per rule 3.2 of the Rules of Procedure of RJMEC, I have convened today’s Extraordinary meeting for members to deliberate and pronounce themselves on the Agreement on the Roadmap to a Peaceful and Democratic end to the Transitional Period of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.’ Hereafter, the ‘Roadmap’.

3.   At this point, I would like to congratulate the Parties to the R-ARCSS and the RTGoNU leadership upon the significant milestone achieved two days ago with the graduation of the first batch of the National Unified Forces. As I said in my remarks at the ceremony, the graduation of the almost 22,000 unified forces was a remarkable achievement. There is now an urgent need to build on the momentum generated by completing graduation of Phase I in Greater Bahr el Ghazal and Greater Upper Nile, and proceed with Phase II of the unification of forces.   

Honorable Members, Ladies and Gentlemen,

4.   In the 9 December 2021 RJMEC Plenary meeting, the RJMEC members through Resolution 2 acknowledged the growing concerns over the slow pace of implementation of the R-ARCSS, and recommended to the RTGoNU “to develop a clear roadmap and timeline for the implementation of the critical pending tasks in the remaining period of the Transitional Period.” The need for a roadmap and strategy was further endorsed in the 10 February 2022 RJMEC Plenary meeting, and Resolution number 6 records that the RTGoNU committed to develop and present a clear roadmap towards elections at the end of the Transitional Period in due course. In particular, tasks lagging behind included the unification of forces, the making of the permanent constitution and enactment of crucial bills to facilitate implementation of other provisions of the R-ARCSS which are prerequisites for the conduct of peaceful, credible and democratic elections at the end of the Transitional Period.  

5.   In response to the RJMEC’s request, the RTGoNU developed a roadmap, which was endorsed by its Council of Ministers on 5 August 2022. It was then submitted to RJMEC on 10 August 2022, along with the Council’s Resolutions, both of which have been shared with you all. 

6.   The Roadmap seeks to extend the Transitional Period and term of office of the RTGoNU for twenty-four months, which requires the amendment of Article 1.1.2 of the R-ARCSS. As you are aware, Article 8.4 of the R-ARCSS provides for the procedure for any amendment of the Revitalised Agreement. Specifically, it states that provisions of the R-ARCSS may be amended by the Parties with at least two-thirds of the members of the Council of Ministers of the RTGoNU, and at least two-thirds of the voting members of RJMEC consenting to the amendments, followed by ratification by the reconstituted TNLA in accordance with the procedure for Constitutional amendment under the TCRSS 2011 (as amended).

Honorable Members, Ladies and Gentlemen,

7.   In my opinion as Chair of RJMEC, the criteria against which the Roadmap can be evaluated should include whether: 

a)   it contains the critical tasks that the RTGoNU will implement to secure lasting peace in South Sudan and for the conduct of a peaceful and democratic end of the extended Transitional Period;

b)   it is consistent with the R-ARCSS, which remains the supreme document; and

c)    the timelines are realistic and clearly benchmarked for the implementation of the critical pending tasks of the Agreement. 

8.   These criteria, and any other issues members may raise, should be the focus of our deliberations today. 

Honorable Members, Ladies and Gentlemen,

9.   In conclusion, following RJMEC’s request, and having received the Roadmap from the RTGoNU, I invite all members to deliberate and pronounce themselves on the Roadmap, including the requirement for amending article 1.1.2 which would extend the Transitional Period for twenty-four months.  

10.        I wish you fruitful deliberations.

I Thank You.