Honourable Ministers, 

Excellencies, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning!

1.        I welcome you all to the 39th plenary meeting of the RJMEC. This is the first meeting of the year 2025. In two days’ time, the Revitalized  Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) completes  5 years of governing the country. It also marks the end of the ‘Roadmap extension’ and the beginning of the recent extension scheduled to end in February 2027 with elections in December 2026. Since the signing of the Peace Agreement in 2018, there has been relative peace and stability compared to previous years.

2.        As we commence the 24 months of the extension, the elections date of December 2026 may seem distant. However, my assessment of the critical milestones required to lay ground for credible elections indicate that there is no moment to waste. The RTGoNU should therefore demonstrate unprecedented sense of urgency to accomplish the critical pending tasks for the conduct of credible, peaceful, free and fair democratic elections.

3.         As you may recall, the key tasks whose non-implementation necessitated this extension include the unification of forces and their redeployment, making of the permanent constitution and preparations for the conduct of credible elections. As we meet here today, these tasks remain incomplete. It is our expectations that the RTGoNU will demonstrate to this plenary how it intends to fast-tract implementation of these tasks within the stipulated timeline.   

4.        My statement this morning will therefore highlight some of the recent developments in the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement since our last meeting, expectations for the extended period, challenges and opportunities to build on the progress made thus far, and close with recommendations.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

5.        Firstly, governance. The budgets submitted by various institutions and mechanisms tasked with implementation of the critical elections-related tasks were approved by the TNLA and await disbursement at the level of the Ministry of Finance and Planning. Without the requisite funding, the Political Parties Council (PPC), the National Elections Commission (NEC), and the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC) are unable to fully discharge their mandates.  

6.        In the meantime, RJMEC commends efforts being made by all the elections-related institutions, with support from various partners, in strengthening their internal capacities. That said, enhanced synergies and cooperation between these institutions are essential for their respective workplans and priorities to be aligned. I look forward to receiving an update from the RTGoNU on the status of resource mobilisation and funding to these institutions. 

7.        As was reported at the last plenary meeting, both the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) and the Judicial Reform Committee (JRC) have delivered on their mandates, and completed their tasks as per the R-ARCSS requirements. Since then, the final report of the JRC was presented to the RTGoNU and endorsed by the Presidency. RJMEC therefore appeals for the expeditious implementation of the JRC recommendations, in particular, the review of the Judiciary Act and reconstitution of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) in order to spearhead other reforms.

8.        In regard to the Permanent Ceasefire, clashes have been reported between two forces of the signatory parties to the Agreement, in Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal States and in Nassir County in Upper Nile State. This is a serious setback considering that over the last  four years, there has been relative peace without any major security incidents between the forces of the parties to the R-ARCSS. This further vindates the urgency and necessity of the unification of forces. RJMEC calls upon the JDB to act with urgency to defuse  the tensions and CTSAMVM to investigate these incidents and report to RJMEC.

9.        In terms of the Transitional Security Arrangements, completion of the unification of forces and their redeployment are essential components of the pending tasks to be accomplished during this coming extended period. RJMEC would like to underscore the importance of completing the unification of forces which is critical for addressing the emergent security concerns, including intercommunal violence as recently witnessed in Magwi County, Eastern Equatoria State and in the provision of a secure environment for the conduct of credible elections.

10.   In regard to the SDSR Board, some progress has been made towards the finalization of the five policy documents which were validated in December 2024. These documents should now be  submitted to the Executive for consideration. The SDSR Chairperson will provide further updates.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

11.   The people of South Sudan continue to face dire humanitarian conditions due to prevalent food insecurity, armed clashes and intercommunal violence, climatic shocks and economic crisis. The situation is worsened by the cholera outbreak which has resulted in nearly 27,000 cases and almost 500 deaths as of 6 February 2025. According to UN OCHA, the total number of returnees fleeing the conflict in Sudan has now exceeded 1 million, exerting more pressure on the already limited resources and services in South Sudan. 

12.   In this regard, the establishment of the Special Reconstruction Fund which is critical for the mobilization of resources for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of South Sudan should be given priority at this critical time.

13.   As the extended period begins, RJMEC is further concerned about the slow progress in the resettlement and reintegration of the returnees and IDPs to enable them to meaningfully participate in the ongoing peace process, especially in constitution-making and electoral processes. The RTGoNU is therefore encouraged to scale up basic service provisions in order to support their resettlement and reintegration.

14.   In regard to the refugees and returnees fleeing from Sudan, I would like to appeal to the RTGoNU, with support from the international community, to prioritise interventions to decongest transit centres. This will enhance protection and reduce gender-based violence and health risks. 

15.   RJMEC commends the Ministry of Gender upon reviving and strengthening the South Sudan Women’s Union (SSWU) aimed at increasing women’s meaningful participation in the peace process. I would like to hear from the women representatives about this development.

16.   On Resource, Economic and Financial Management, it is important that as the extended period starts, the Public Financial Management Oversight Committee continues to show steady commitment to economic reforms, which have so far resulted in improved monitoring of public spending of the national budget, and of revenue collection, especially non-oil revenue. 

17.   Further, reforms that are intended to promote financial stability, such as reforms to the Bank of South Sudan, should also continue, as the Bank plays a key role in promoting price stability and monetary policy formulation. The oversight institutions of the Anti-Corruption Commission and the Audit Chamber need to be fully functional to enable them to execute their mandates of ensuring transparency and accountability, as provided for in the reviewed legislations.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

18.   On Transitional Justice, the legislation for the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing (CTRH) and the Compensation and Reparation Authority (CRA) have been enacted. The processes of establishing these mechanisms are underway following the approval of a Cabinet Memorandum by the RTGoNU Council of Ministers in January 2025. In this regard, I request the RTGoNU to update the plenary on the status of appointment of the Commissioners for the CTRH. Hastening the appointments and operationalisation of these bodies are critical in driving forward the processes of national healing and reconciliation.  

19.   Regarding the permanent constitution-making process, the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC) is currently engaging various partners to support its national launch of civic education and public consultations. RJMEC welcomes this proactive approach and appeals to the partners to support this endeavour. 

20.   I would like to underscore the importance of the drafting of a people-owned and people-led constitution, as it will help determine, among others, the types of elections which will be held in December 2026. The NCRC Chairperson will provide further updates.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

21.   For its part, RJMEC has continued its engagements since the last Plenary pursuant to its mandate. These engagements included, among others, the briefing to the Presidency, national Ministers, TNLA, the ministerial delegation of the African Union (AU) High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan (C5), and the African Union Panel of the Wise. I also briefed the Security Council of the United Nations. 

22.   Overall, in all these international engagements, there is the general impression that there is a shared concern over the slow pace of implementation, absence of dedicated funding and the failure to adhere to agreed timelines. Further, the regional and international partners would like South Sudan to disburse funds and implement the Revitalized Peace Agreement as a sign of commitment and good will; in order to attract international support.

23.   As you may recall, during our last plenary in the month of October last year, the expactations were that RTGoNU would call for an extraordinary meeting to provide the work plans on how the extension will be implemented. This did not happen. Further, there was a call to do things differently and not business as usual. In that regard and given the aforementioned, I would like to offer the following recommendations to the RTGoNU as the extended Transitional Period begins:

a.        Provide a strategy with a clear, coherent and overarching action plan, feasible budget and timeline for the implementation of the priority tasks for the extended transitional period;

b.        Ensure that the workplans of the Agreement Institutions and Mechanisms are aligned and collaborative to ensure effective and efficient implementation;

c.         Provide the necessary funding in a timely manner  to the Agreement Institutions and Mechanisms;  

d.        Expedite completion of the unification of forces, their redeployment and DDR;

e.        Create a conducive environment for voluntary  return, resettlement and reintegration of South Sudanese refugees and IDPs to enable them participate in the ongoing peace process; and

f.          Establish, operationalise and fund the CTRH and CRA.

24.   Further, I appeal to the regional guarantors and international community to have a more accommodative  approach that aligns with the need  to do things differently as well, in order to have South Sudan transit from perpetual extensions. This could be through the following, among others: 

a.    frequent, proactive and coordinated  engagements of Special Envoys of different countries and organizations; 

b.   prominent presence and engagements of the regional guarantors at the highest political level; 

c.    effective and efficient direct support to the Agreement Institutions and Mechanisms to enable them to discharge their mandates; and 

d.   periodic coordination between the regional guarantors and international partners through alignment of  messages and actions.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

25.   In conclusion, I would like to inform you that this is my last Plenary having completed my tour of duty this month. It has been four-and-half years since I took over as the Interim Chairperson of RJMEC. I thank all of you for the support and constructive engagements throughout my truly memorable years here. 

26.   It has been a privilege and a humbling experience for me, to have had this opportunity of chairing such a meeting composed of senior stakeholders, diplomats, party leaders, government officials and security officers. Thank you for your coorperation and support. It has been a rich learning curve for me and I do not take it for granted.  I have learned a lot from all of you in the course of time that we have shared here.

27.    I want to thank H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit,  First Vice President Dr Riek Machar and all other party leaders for staying the course of peace and within the Agreement provisions. It is my conviction that R-ACRSS, remains  the most transformative blueprint that would deliver this country to a democratic dispensation if implemented in letter and spirit.

28.    I would also like to take this opportunity to thank His Excellency President Dr William Ruto, the Government of the republic of Kenya and IGAD, for affording me this opportunity to lead such an esteemed peace commission in South Sudan.  It is my hope that my successor H.E. Amb. Maj Gen (rtd) George Aggrey Owinow, will find the same support that you have given me, as he steers RJMEC to the next level. 

29.   I wish you fruitful deliberations.

I Thank You!