Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Thursday, 26 Jan. 23, Juba, South Sudan

AHEAD OF VISIT OF THE POPE, THE RTGONU, PARTIES AND THE PEOPLE OF SOUTH SUDAN URGED TO “REBUILD TRUST, DEMONSTRATE GENUINE POLITICAL WILL AND UNITY OF PURPOSE”

With the expected visit of Ecumenical Peace Pilgrimage of three religious leaders, led by His Holiness, Pope Francis to the Republic of South Sudan early next month, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has urged the leadership of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU), the Parties, and the people of South Sudan to “renew their confidence in the peace process, rebuild trust and demonstrate genuine political will and unity of purpose, with the spirit of forgiveness and magnanimity.”

Speaking at the 26th RJMEC monthly meeting held in Juba on Thursday 26 January, 2023, RJMEC Chairperson Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said: 

“The imminent Ecumenical Peace Pilgrimage to Juba of the three religious leaders, led by His Holiness, Pope Francis, is an indicator of the world’s desire for lasting peace in South Sudan.”

“I hope the RTGoNU and the people of South Sudan will find inspiration and a spirit of forgiveness in these visits in order to renew public confidence in the peace process by rebuilding trust and showing unity of purpose, and demonstrate genuine political will through joint actions and messaging for peace,” he added.

Additionally, General Gituai told the meeting that it is “very concerning to note that over the holiday period, numerous armed clashes have taken place, cumulatively costing hundreds of lives and displacing thousands of civilians, in particular in Upper Nile State and in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area. 

“For all intents and purposes, there is a very serious picture of escalating violence, negatively impacting the environment in which the R-ARCSS is being implemented,” he said.  

Further, the RJMEC Chairperson noted that six bills were assented to by the President of the Republic of South Sudan in December, including the Constitution-making Process Bill 2022. However, he raised a concern that their operationalisation needs to be further advanced. 

“By now, there are critical institutions which should have been reconstituted to pave the way for the implementation of key aspects of the Agreement. For instance, the Political Parties Council which is central for the registration of political parties, and there is also the National Constitutional Review Commission which is tasked with spearheading the constitution-making process,” he said.  

Amb. Gen. Gituai urged the RTGoNU to reconstitute the Political Parties Council as part of the operationalisation of the recently enacted laws, which helps to protect political space, thereby allowing for the registration of political parties. 

In addition, he called for the immediate reconstitution and funding of the National Constitutional Review Commission and its Secretariat, and fast-tracking the establishment of the other mechanisms like the Constitutional Drafting Committee (CDC) and the Preparatory Sub-Committee.

In his conclusion, Amb. Gituai urged the RTGoNU to harmonize the ranks of the unified forces, and provide for their welfare so that they can be deployed to provide security and protection of civilians caught up in sub-national violence.