Honourable Ministers, 

Excellencies, 

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning.

1.        I welcome you all to the 25th meeting of the RJMEC. We last met on 17 November, four weeks ago, and we are here today following a period of focused and intense regional engagements. There have been recent meetings of the IGAD Council of Ministers, the African Union Peace and Security Council, and the United Nations Security Council, during which the fast-tracking of the peace process in the Republic of South Sudan has been top of the agenda, as it was at the recent Sixth Governor’s Forum. 

2.        On 30 November 2022, RJMEC attended and engaged with the IGAD Council of Ministers at its 48th Ordinary Session in Khartoum, Sudan, and addressed the African Union Peace and Security Council on the same day. I also briefed the UN Security Council last night. 

3.        With respect to the IGAD meeting, allow me to highlight some of the critical resolutions made concerning implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement: 

a) the Council welcomed the roadmap; 

b) urged the RTGoNU and Parties to implement the Roadmap in letter and spirit; 

c) decided to undertake a joint ministerial visit to Juba; 

d) to hold a bi-annual Extraordinary IGAD Council of Ministers meeting to review progress in implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement; and 

e) to convene a meeting of the IGAD Chief of Defence Forces to assess the immediate needs of CTSAMVM.

4.        Regarding the AU Peace and Security Council meeting held on 30 November, it reiterated the commitment of the AU as a guarantor of the Revitalised Agreement, requested that its Panel of the Wise visit South Sudan, and it also decided to undertake a solidarity visit to South Sudan on the third anniversary of the formation of the Transitional Government on 22 February 2023. Clearly, RJMEC’s appeals regarding the importance of consolidating our efforts, speaking with one voice, and bringing our collective leverage to bear and push for timely implementation of the Roadmap has been taken seriously, and this augurs well for South Sudan.

5.        I also had the opportunity recently of briefing the President of the Republic of Kenya, H.E. Dr. William Ruto, on issues related to the Revitalised Peace Agreement. Furthermore, the holding of the Inter-Parliamentary games here in Juba, featuring so many Members of Parliament from the East African region, is a very positive signal. 

6.        The leaderships in the region and beyond have shown their determination to urgently build on recent progress in order to push for more implementation. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) to match that level of determination in the pace of implementation of the Roadmap. 

7.        Furthermore, the recently concluded Sixth Governor’s Forum, with the theme ‘Accelerating the implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement in accordance with the Roadmap 2022’, also provided a high-level platform to deliberate the issues which are critical to the timely implementation of the Agreement. 

8.        Thus as we come to the close of the year 2022, my statement this morning will only highlight the most recent developments in the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) in accordance with Roadmap since our last Plenary. I will focus on progress made, outstanding tasks within the Roadmap timeframe, and conclude with recommendations.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

9.        First, governance. Since we last met, the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) has made significant progress drafting key priority legislation, with the National Elections Act 2012 and Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009 both recently completed and submitted to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. Additionally, the NCAC has begun its review of the National Revenue Authority Act, and the Bank of South Sudan Act, and the Banking Act to ensure alignment with the R-ARCSS. That said, these bills are yet to be presented to the Council of Ministers or tabled to the Transitional National Legislature.  I urge further progress in this regard.

10.    Next, security. The graduation on 21 November in Malakal, Upper Nile State, brings the total of those graduated in Phase 1 of the unification of forces to approximately 49,000 out of the target 53,000. As reported at the last Plenary, commencement of Phase 2 of forces was to have begun by 30 September 2022. It is expected that Phase 2 will involve troops assembling in the Cantonment Sites with weapons ready to move to training areas. I look forward to receiving an update from the Joint Defence Board.

11.    Next, regarding CTSAMVM verified violations of the Transitional Security Arrangements. In my last plenary statement, I highlighted two violation reports, namely, Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Koch and Leer Counties of Unity State, and the torture and killing of three civilians in Kiri Boma of Kajo Keji County, Central Equatoria State. I would like to report that RJMEC received a response from the SSPDF Chief of Defence Forces on the latter, who informed us that the investigation was concluded, and the matter is before the court. In the same vein, it is important that RJMEC’s other letters about violation reports are responded to. 

12.    Since the last Plenary, CTSAMVM has written further violation reports about denial of access, information and harassment of CTSAMVM personnel at Wunliet Cantonment Site in Central Equatoria State, and recruitment and training in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state. CTSAMVM will provide further details. 

13.    As highlighted in our recent joint statement of RJMEC, UNMISS, the African Union Mission in South Sudan, IGAD, and some members of the international community, RJMEC is deeply concerned over the escalating violence in both Upper Nile and Jonglei States with innocent lives being lost, thousands displaced, livelihoods and property destroyed. If not addressed urgently, the wider ramifications of such violence could destabilize the ongoing implementation of the Peace Agreement. It is important that CTSAMVM, which reports to RJMEC, be given the necessary resources to investigate and evaluate such incidents of violence. 

14.    In terms of humanitarian affairs, according to UN OCHA, an estimated 9.4 million people are expected to have humanitarian and/or protection needs in 2023, an increase of half a million people since 2022. As we know, there are growing concerns that the magnitude and severity of humanitarian needs are persistent and rising. Therefore, I would like to reiterate the importance of the establishment of the Special Reconstruction Fund, a critical coordinating mechanism for recovery and development efforts. I appeal to the RTGoNU to establish the Board of the Special Reconstruction Fund, and for it to work closely with partners to mobilise the requisite resources, including through the South Sudan pledging conference.

15.    On the management of economic and financial resources, it is encouraging to note that overall, the RTGoNU has registered some milestones in policy reviews and the management of natural resources, agricultural policies, strategies and programmes. The National Land Policy is now in its final stage. However, the policy for the management and use of the country’s waterbodies, including but not limited to the River Nile that was prioritised in the Roadmap, is yet to be developed.

16.    On Chapter 5, transitional justice, RJMEC expects public consultations with refugees and persons in the diaspora to commence soon to further guide the drafting of the legislation establishing the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing (CTRH). The Ministry of Justice continues to undertake expert consultations that will inform the Compensation and Reparation Authority (CRA) legislative framework. RJMEC urges the Ministry to complete this phase of the process and expedite the drafting of the CTRH and the CRA Bill.

17.    On Chapter 6, the parameters of the permanent constitution, I am informed that the Constitution-making Process Bill 2022 passed by the Transitional National Legislature (TNL) has not yet been submitted to the President for assent to become law. This is important to kickstart the reconstitution and appointment of the relevant institutions essential for the making of the new constitution, which include the National Constitutional Review Commission, the Preparatory Sub-Committee for the convening of National Constitutional Conference, and then, the Constitution Drafting Committee.

18.    Meanwhile, it is important to note that the Agreement institutions and mechanisms, such as the NCAC, Judicial Reform Committee, CTSAMVM, among others, are critical to the ongoing implementation of the Agreement. It is essential that the allowances of their national members continue to be paid in order to facilitate their work, and I would like to receive a report from the National Transitional Committee on this matter. 

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

19.    As I have said previously in this forum, peaceful and democratic elections are within our reach, and are possible in the next 24 months, if we focus our collective efforts on facilitating progress. My recommendations to the RTGoNU are as follows:

a)   adhere to the Roadmap timelines and prioritise their implementation through the availing of predictable, timely and adequate funding for all tasks; 

b)   urge the reconstituted TNL to expedite the processing of all Bills before the Legislature;

c)    commence with Phase 2 of the unification of forces, which is overdue, and avail funding and political support to the DDR programmes, which is an essential component of the unification of forces; 

d)   address subnational violence, especially in Upper Nile and Jonglei States, hold perpetrators accountable, and take steps to address the root causes and protect civilians and their property;

e)   kickstart preparations for the reconstitution and appointment of the critical Constitution Making mechanisms and institutions, including giving due attention to the 35% level of women’s participation, as well as taking note of youth and people living with disabilities; and

f)    take note of both the communiques from the 48th Ordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers and the 1123rd meeting of the AU PSC from their 30 November meetings on South Sudan.

20.    In conclusion, I would like to highlight the first resolution of the Sixth Governor’s Forum, which affirmed the “commitment of the States and the Administrative Areas to implementation of the R-ARCSS through the Roadmap 2022.” With this in mind, and against the backdrop of the diplomatic support affirmed at the recent IGAD, AU Peace and Security Council and UN Security Council meetings, RJMEC expects that progress should be more rapid and substantial in the new year 2023. 

21.    As I told the Governor’s Forum, there are immense tasks and expectations ahead, and even with the extension, time is of the essence. The people of South Sudan deserve nothing less than total implementation of the Roadmap in letter and spirit in order to enjoy the peace dividends that it brings.

22.    I would like to finally take this opportunity to wish each one of you a very Merry Christmas, and may the New Year bring you the strength and impetus to continue with the important work of building durable peace in South Sudan.

I Thank You.