Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Thursday, 07 December, 2023, Juba, South Sudan

NEED FOR THE RTGONU TO DEMONSTRATE ITS COMMITMENT TO ELECTIONS THROUGH FUNDING ELECTIONS-RELATED INSTITUTIONS AND COMPLETION OF UNIFICATION OF FORCES. 

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) on Thursday 7 December, 2023, convened its 33rd monthly meeting in Juba. 

In his statement to the meeting, RJMEC Interim Chairperson Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai called on the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) to demonstrate commitment to the elections by providing the funding required to hold elections and to the newly reconstituted elections-related institutions (the Political Parties Council, the National Elections Commision and the National Constitutional Review Commission), and the completion of the unification of forces.

“This month next year, elections are scheduled to be held, and yet across all chapters of the Agreement, much more progress in implementation is required. One of the key issues holding up progress is funding to all the Agreement institutions and mechanisms,” he said.

Considering the diminishing period remaining before elections, Amb. Gituai added, “it is imperative that the Parties to the Agreement cooperate in a collegial manner and present a unified plan for elections.”

On security, the RJMEC Interim Chairperson raised concerns on reported military defections among armed Parties to the R-ARCSS, which often create instability resulting in loss of life and civilian displacement.

“Military defections are clearly contrary to the Revitalised Agreement, and undermine the implementation of both the Transitional Security Arrangements and the Agreement itself,” he said, adding: “In the context of the ongoing unification of forces, military defections are evidently counterproductive.”

Furthermore, Amb. Gituai said, the importance of a people-led and people-owned constitution to consolidate the peaceful and democratic aspirations of South Sudan cannot be overemphasised. 

“In this regard, the delay in the operationalisation of the National Constitutional Review Commission, and the Preparatory Sub-Committee for the National Constitutional Conference is concerning. These two institutions will drive forward the making of the permanent constitution, which will guide the conduct of elections at the end of the Transitional Period.” 

On the humanitarian sector, Amb. Gituai said:

 “Concerning humanitarian assistance, against the backdrop of projected decreased funding by the international community, the refugee and returnee influx from Sudan has increased the number of vulnerable people in South Sudan that require assistance, which include populations affected by food insecurity, intercommunal violence and persistent flooding, children at critical risk of malnutrition, and women and girls at risk of gender-based violence.”

He added: “It is therefore imperative for the RGToNU to establish the Special Reconstruction Fund and Board to pave the way for the Pledging Conference, as required by the Agreement. The Fund’s focus on reconstruction and service delivery will help underpin South Sudan’s overall development.”

ENDS