Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Thursday, 20th February 2020, Juba, South Sudan

We must all prepare for the formation of R-TGoNU

With barely a day before the expiry of the deadline of the extended pre-transitional period on 22ndFebruary2020, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has called on all Parties to the Agreement and other stakeholders to prepare for the formation of the Revitalized Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) of the Republic of South Sudan.   

RJMEC Interim Chairperson H.E. Ambassador Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge said, “It is clear that all must prepare for the formation of R-TGoNU. I call on the Parties to capitalise on the gains made since the signing of the R-ARCSS on the 12thSeptember 2018, and continue to build towards lasting and sustainable peace in South Sudan,”

He was speaking in Juba on Thursday 20thFebruary 2020, before the postponing the 14thRJMEC  monthly meeting. The meeting was postponed to next month, after it did not secure requisite quorum, for the meeting to proceed.

On the number of states and their boundaries, the Interim Chairperson commended H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan for the “compromise he made on the 15thof February to revert the number of States to 10 as outlined in his letter to IGAD dated 15thFebruary 2020”. 

“In that regard, I applaud the leadership of IGAD and the regional Special Envoys for the role they played in helping the Parties to break the deadlock on the number and boundaries of states,” he said. 

“I urge the people of South Sudan, to welcome this decision, which will allow the formation of the RTGoNU in a timely manner and on a solid foundation,” he added.

Consequently, Ambassador Njoroge reported that the Chairperson (of IGAD) and the other regional leaders are in the process of preparing a roadmap that will guide the formation of an inclusive Revitalised Government of National Unity. 

The proposed roadmap, he said, will highlight key tasks, and necessary steps as provided for in the Revitalised Agreement.

On the unification of forces, Ambassador Njoroge noted that significant progress has been made in moving personnel to the designated training centres, where at least 38,000 troops are currently assembled. 

“Preliminary training activities are ongoing. So too is screening, which I witnessed recently in Rajaf Training Centre. Furthermore, at the Gorom training centre, I witnessed the assembly of 3,339 trainees for the VIP Protection Force. However, training in accordance with the unification module is yet to start,” he said. 


In addition to the unification of forces, he said, the enactment by the TNLA (Transitional National Legislative Assembly) of the security laws, submission of the Parties nominees for the Transitional National Legislative Assembly to the NCAC; and the allocation of ministerial portfolios to the various Parties have not yet been completed.

In his recommendation, the Interim Chairperson asked the region, the international community, Partners and Friends of South Sudan to speak with one voice in support of the peace process.

[ENDS]