Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Thursday, 09 March, Juba, South Sudan

RJMEC ENCOURAGES CONSULTATION TO RESOLVE ISSUES ON THE REMOVAL OF THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE AND VETERAN AFFAIRS; URGES FOCUS ON TIMELY IMPLEMENTATION OF R-ARCSS. 

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) takes note of the Presidential Decree of 3 March 2023, announcing the removal of the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, and Minister of Interior, and the swapping of the two ministries between the ITGoNU and the SPLM-IO. 

RJMEC welcomes the decision of the President and the First Vice President to meet and discuss the issue of the removal of the Minister of Defence and Veteran Affairs, and the swapping of the two ministries. In that regard, we urge the Parties to observe the letter and spirit of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), which is founded on collaboration, consultation, and agreement between the Parties. 

If there is a deadlock between the Parties to the Agreement, a referral can be made to RJMEC pursuant to Article 7.11 of the R-ARCSS to engage the Parties with a view to finding a compromise and / or recommending measures to break the deadlock.

With less than 24 months of the extended Transitional Period remaining, it is important that this issue be resolved as soon as possible so that the Peace Agreement can continue to be implemented in a timely manner.