7th RJMEC Plenary held in Juba

The 7th Monthly Plenary of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and EvaluationCommission  (RJMEC) was held today, Tuesday June 18, 2019, in Juba, South Sudan.

Speaking during the opening of the meeting, RJMEC Interim Chairperson H.E. Ambassador Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge gave an update on the status of implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS). 

“On the security situation, I am pleased to note that the permanent ceasefire continues to hold across the country, while attention is turned to cantonment and the training of the Necessary Unified Forces,” he said. 

He urged the security Mechanisms to open cantonment sites and ensure that forces report to the designated sites or barracks, as stipulated in the R-ARCSS.  

He continued, “Unfortunately, there is still violence and an unacceptable number of deaths linked to cattle rustling. This requires the urgent attention of the government.”

Additionally, despite an apparent reduction in reported cases of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) in the country, it remains a concern, the Interim Chairperson noted.

“I urge the Parties to the Agreement to takes steps to eradicate SGBV in their areas of responsibility, to ensure protection and safety of women and girls in areas under their control, and to continue accountability measures for those found culpable of SGBV violations.”

Ambassador Lt. Gen. Njoroge concluded saying that he is encouraged by the “ongoing discussion about the establishment of an SGBV court by the Judiciary, and the adoption by the South Sudan Peoples Defence Forces of an Action Plan to eradicate SGBV by the military.”