Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Thursday, 26 November, 2020 , Juba, South Sudan

RJMEC HOLDS ITS 15THMONTHLY MEETING; CALLS FOR CONCERNED PARTIES TO APPOINT UPPER NILE GOVERNOR

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) convened its 15thmonthly meeting today, Thursday 26 November, 2020 in Juba.

Speaking to the RJMEC members during the opening of meeting, RJMEC Interim Chairperson H.E. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said: 

“The appointment of the governor of Upper Nile State remains outstanding. I have been informed on numerous occasions that negotiations between the concerned parties are ongoing. I therefore reiterate my previous appeals to the highest political leadership of the country to find compromise and appoint the governor of Upper Nile state. I am hopeful this will help address the instability in the state.”

Continuing his address, the Interim Chairperson said he remains concerned byrecent reports of military defections, adding it undermines trust and confidence in the peace process. 

“I expect that all Parties to the Agreement view this issue with the seriousness it merits, because any action, including defections, by any party, individuals or groups detracts from the important work of peace building in the country and should be condemned,” he stated. 

In addition, Maj. Gen. Gituai said the situation in both training centres and the cantonment sites continues to be of serious concern, with more recent reports indicating that food, medicines and other essential resources remain in scarce supply, resulting in some ex-combatants abandoning cantonment sites and training centres.

The Interim Chair then spoke about the issue of disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration (DDR) for ex-combatants. He said that it “remains an integral part of the unification process. However, it continues to face severe challenges which need to be addressed. The DDR process has to go hand in hand with the unification process to train and provide alternative means of livelihood to ex-combatants that are not eligible to join the unified force.” 

On the humanitarian front, the Interim Chair reported that eight humanitarian workers have lost their lives this year, including one in October, while providing aid to people in need. 

“That is in clear contravention of Chapter 3 of the Agreement, and international humanitarian law. I would like to call upon the government to ensure a safe and secure operating environment for humanitarian workers to ensure the continued delivery of much-needed humanitarian services.”

ENDS