In his address to the meeting, the first since the two-year extension of the Transitional Period on 18 September 2024, RJMEC Chairperson, Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said that throughout implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement, progress in the implemenation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) has been slowed down by many recurring challenges such as insufficient political will, trust deficit, lack of sufficient, dedicated and predictable funding, and capacity gaps. 

As such, he said, this time round, “there is unprecedented need to do things differently. A clear demonstration by the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) to mobilise sufficient resources to implement the Agreement would be a strong indication of political will and commitment.”

Amb. Gituai called on the RTGoNU and the various institutions and mechanisms of the Agreement to align and deliver their tasks within the extended Transitional Period.  “These should include action plans, budget, timelines, and resource mobilisation, and proactive engagement with the various other Agreement institutions and mechanisms.”

He added: “Securing predictable funding and making early progress with the implementation of these outstanding tasks will therefore send a positive signal across the country that the Parties are making good on their promises and would attract timely support.” 

The extension of the Transitional Period, he said, which is effective from 22 February 2025 to 22 February 2027, “felt like the continuation of an endless cycle of transitions”, adding that the slow pace of implementation and inability to adhere to timelines by the RTGoNU “are major sources of concern”. 

“This is a tight timeline, which requires deliberate planning and a sense of urgency, in order to have all the critical pending tasks accomplished for the elections to take place as scheduled,” he said. 

However, Amb. Gituai urged the Parties to replicate the spirit of collegiality, consensus and urgency, exhibited in extending the Transitional Period, “to expeditiously implement the critical pending tasks, especially the constitution-making and electoral processes, and the unification of forces.” 

“It is important to observe that South Sudan has friends and partners who are willing to support the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, provided the RTGoNU leads the process by providing the bulk of the funding.”

In his conclusion, the Chaiperson urged increase of women’s representation in the executive and legislative appointments up to and beyond the 35% minimum threshold given their centrality of the roles of women in achieving lasting peace and security in the country. 

“It is important to remind the Parties that when replacements in appointments take place, they should not reduce the overall count of women in these positions. Instead, women’s representation should be increased in executive and legislative appointments,” he said. 

“Women’s leadership and full inclusion in peacebuilding and political processes is central to achieving lasting peace and security in South Sudan.”