The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission has released its latest quarterly report on the status of implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS). The report covers between 1st July to 30th September 2022. 

Read the full report here: https://bit.ly/3VG7ARn 

Honourable Members, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good afternoon!

1.   As Interim Chairperson of RJMEC, it is my responsibility to communicate the outcome of today’s Extraordinary plenary.

2.   You, the RJMEC members, have deliberated and pronounced yourselves 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.’ 

3.   Two questions were asked. The first:

“Do you as RJMEC members wish to make a decision on the extension of the Transitional Period today, or after three (03) months to give the RTGoNU time for consultations with the citizens before any extension? 

35 voted in favour of making the decision today, while 3 voted in favour of extending by three months. 4 members did not vote. 

On the second question:

“Do you as RJMEC Members Consent or Not Consent to the extension of the Transitional Period, effective 23rd February 2023 to 22nd February 2025?” 

4.   The result was as follows: 37 out of 42 members present today voted in favour, 4 did not vote while one was absent. 

5.   Article 8.4 of the R-ARCSS requires that at least two-thirds of the voting members consent to an amendment.  Therefore, according to the procedures set out in the Revitalised Agreement, the motion is CARRIED.

6.   The proposed amendment to Article 1.1.2, which extends the Transitional Period and term of RTGoNU until 22nd February 2025, now requires ratification by the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislature, according to the constitutional amendment procedures set out in the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan - TCRSS, 2011 (as amended).

7.   As a next step, I will be submitting our decision and the accompanying resolution to the RTGoNU to consider RJMEC’s position and recommendation in this regard. Amongst the key observations made are as follows: 

• The new spirit of cooperation exhibited by the Parties in the agreement on the Roadmap, ending of SPLM/A-IO boycott of the Reconstituted TNLA, graduation of the first batch of the Necessary Unified Forces, as well as recent breakthroughs achieved in the meetings of the Presidency is welcomed. 

8.   I would like to encourage the Parties to continuously dialogue, work together to enhance the rebuilding of trust and confidence in the peace process, by taking concrete steps to address all the key impediments to progress in the implementation of the Agreement.

9.   We identified a number of tasks in the Roadmap, whose deadlines have already passed, and in this regard I wish to urge the RTGoNU to review and update the timelines in the Implementation Matrix contained in the Annex of the Roadmap for tasks whose timelines have already passed prior to its submission to the reconstituted TNLA.

10.        About the concerns expressed over the limited nature of the consultations conducted prior to the development of the Roadmap, I  urge the RTGoNU Parties to implement the Roadmap in an inclusive manner, including by continuously consulting with all relevant stakeholders, and civil society actors, during its implementation. 

11.        Finally, I urge the RTGoNU to demonstrate full and unwavering political will and commitment to implement all the priority tasks set out in the Roadmap, in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Revitalised Peace Agreement and to implement additional interim measures, including an economic recovery plan to improve the current business environment.

I Thank You.  

Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Sunday, 12 September, 2022, Juba, South Sudan

4TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE REVITALIZED AGREEMENT ON THE RESOLUTION OF THE CONFLICT IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN (R-ARCSS)

Four years ago today, the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) was signed. This is a significant milestone marking the momentous journey that South Sudan is on. 

If we recall recent history, armed conflict broke out in July 2016 within one year of the signing of the 2015 Peace Agreement, and barely two months after the first coalition government was formed. By contrast, implementation of the R-ARCSS is now entering its fifth year, and the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) is just over two-and-a-half-years old. 

This is an important achievement, and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), as the institution responsible for the overall oversight of the implementation of the Peace Agreement, congratulates H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. Dr. Riek Machar, First Vice President, and the four Vice Presidents and the diverse peoples of South Sudan in general.

In recent weeks, we have seen two notable events in particular. Firstly, the graduation of the first batch of the unified forces. The unification of forces is the backbone of the Agreement, and one of the key building blocks promoting national unity, reconciliation, and community cohesion. The momentum generated should be maintained and Phase II of unification should commence as quickly as possible.

The second notable event is the vote by the RJMEC members to extend of the Transitional Period by two years, so it would expire in February 2025 after the holding of free, fair and credible elections. The extension was part of a Roadmap presented to the RJMEC members by the RTGoNU, known as 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.” 

The Roadmap makes it clear that much remains to be implemented across all chapters of the Peace Agreement, and we cannot ignore the fact that the need for this Roadmap arose directly because of the slow pace of implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement.

Therefore, as we mark the four years since the Agreement’s signing, RJMEC urges the RTGoNU to redouble its efforts and implement the Roadmap fully in letter and spirit. As it does so, we urge it to bear in mind that more confidence and trust building across society is needed, and that improved inclusivity and extending and protecting the political and civic space for all South Sudanese to participate in their governance is also needed.  

Furthermore, instability in the states detracts from gains made in peacebuilding. RJMEC reminds the RTGoNU that the preamble of the Revitalised Peace Agreement talks of “laying the foundation for a united, peaceful and prosperous society based on justice, equality, respect for human rights and the rule of law,” and this is truly a laudable goal which must apply to each and every citizen of South Sudan equally  

God Bless South Sudan. 

ENDS

BY Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai

On Thursday 1 September 2022, a historic vote took place at an Extraordinary Plenary meeting of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC). The vote was on whether or not to extend the Transitional Period and term of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) by two years from 23rd February 2023 until 22nd February 2025. 

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) welcomed the graduation of the first batch of the South Sudan Necessary Unified Force (NUF) as historic, and an important milestone as envisaged under Chapter II of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). 

The members of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has on Thursday September 1, 2022, voted to extend the Transitional Period and term of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) by two years from 23rd February 2023 until 22nd February 2025.

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.

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. 

Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Thursday, 01 September, 2022, Juba, South Sudan

RJMEC CONVENES EXTRAORDINARY PLENARY, VOTES TO EXTEND TRANSITIONAL PERIOD AND RTGONU TERM

Today, 1 September 2022, the members of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) voted to extend the Transitional Period and term of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) by two years from 23rd February 2023 until 22nd February 2025.

Article 8.4 of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) requires that at least two-thirds of the voting members consent to an amendment of the Agreement, which is 29 of the total 43 members. 37 voted in favour of the extension. 

The extension was part of a Roadmap presented to the members by the RTGoNU, known as 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.”

The RJMEC vote now requires ratification by the Transitional National Legislature, according to the constitutional amendment procedures set out in the Transitional Constitution of the Republic South Sudan, 2011 (as amended).

As the next step, the RJMEC Chairperson, Amb. Maj Gen Charles Tai Gituai will submit the decision and the accompanying resolution to the RTGoNU to consider RJMEC’s position and recommendation in this regard. 

In his closing statement, Amb. Maj Gen Gituai said: “I would like to encourage the Parties to continuously dialogue, work together to enhance the rebuilding of trust and confidence in the peace process, by taking concrete steps to address all the key impediments to progress in the implementation of the Agreement.”

“About the concerns expressed over the limited nature of the consultations conducted prior to the development of the Roadmap, I  urge the RTGoNU Parties to implement the Roadmap in an inclusive manner, including by continuously consulting with all relevant stakeholders, and civil society actors, during its implementation,” he added. 

He concluded, “I urge the RTGoNU to demonstrate full and unwavering political will and commitment to implement all the priority tasks set out in the Roadmap, in accordance with letter and spirit of the Revitalised Peace Agreement to implement additional interim measures, including an economic recovery plan to improve the current business environment.”

ENDS

Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Tuesday, 30 August, 2022, Juba, South Sudan

GRADUATION OF UNIFIED FORCES, AN IMPORTANT MILESTONE FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE R-ARCSS 

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) welcomed the graduation of the first batch of the South Sudan Necessary Unified Force (NUF) as historic, and an important milestone as envisaged under Chapter II of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). 

Speaking at the graduation ceremony held in Juba on Tuesday 30 August, 2022, RJMEC Chairperson Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said: 

“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.”

“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.” 

While congratulating the graduating unified forces ”for their endurance, commitment and determination to serve the country as members of the security forces,” Amb. Gituai said: 

“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.”

“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,” he added. 

However, despite this achievement, Amb. Gituai noted, “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.”

He concluded, “It is my sincere hope and expectation that this graduation will also provide a timely boost to the overall implementation of the Revitalized 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.”

ENDS

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), has welcomed the start of the review of the National Elections Act 2012 of South Sudan, one of the key legislations assigned to the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC), terming it as an important step for the successful conclusion of the Transitional Period of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).