R-JMEC rues ‘marginal’ progress of 2018 peace deal
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC) has said there has been minimal progress in the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement for the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ACRSS).
The Interim Chairperson of RJMEC, Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said since the commission’s last meeting month, there had been minimal progress towards implementation of the provisions of the governance chapter of the agreement.
He said RJMEC was very concerned by the reports of the increasing clashes between SPLA-IO forces and defectors to the SSPDF in Upper Nile and the Unity States, including in training centres.
“I would like to stress that each training centre is a symbol of unity, which is being forged through creating a unified force, and any threat to this is unacceptable,” Maj. Gen. Tai said.
The chairperson said that, as per the agreement, the parties are responsible for the command and control of their forces and affiliates.
He called on the armed signatory parties to exercise full command and control of their forces and to hold their troops accountable for any violations.
Maj. Gen. Tai added that with one year left for the transitional period to elapse, it was very concerning to continue receiving reports of increased insecurity among some communities, including revenge attacks and crime in various parts of the country.
“This state of affairs is exacerbated by the delayed implementation of the Transitional Security Arrangements as set out in the agreement, growing military defections from one signatory party to another and poorly resourced structures of governance and security at the State and local levels,” he stressed.
Overdue reforms
Maj. Gen. Tai further said the humanitarian situation in the country continues to deteriorate due to substantial conflicts, widespread flooding, deepening food insecurity, high food prices and lack of access to basic services.
He said the reviewed Bank of South Sudan Act 2010 needs to be enacted to encourage accountability and transparency in the financial sector and for the bank to perform other functions conferred upon it by law.
Maj. Gen. Tai called on the Transitional National Legislature to expedite the enactment of the pending security, political parties and constitution-making bills. He also urged the government to urgently restore peace and security in the regions affected by conflict and violence by completing the transitional security arrangements, including resolving the issues of unified command and force ratios.
He urged the transitional government to extend the South Sudan Pension Fund across a wider cross-section of society.
He acknowledged that the state legislative assemblies had sworn in their members and called on other states to operationalise their legislative assemblies.
Speaking on behalf of the government, the Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro said the government should not be blamed for the slow implementation of the agreement.
SPLM/A-IO blamed
He said seven months went to waste due to SPLM/A-IO’s refusal to come to Juba after signing the agreement.
Dr. Elia said the first three months were spent wooing the SPLM/A-IO to come to Juba as they alleged a lack of security arrangements, accommodation, allowances, and logistics challenges.
The minister said the government had spent $10 million and SSP 100 million to secure houses for the SPLM/A-IO officials, vehicles and offices.
Dr. Riek Machar arrived in the capital, Juba on October 10, 2019, accompanied by UN Security Council delegates.
In 2015, President Salva Kiir and Dr Riek Machar signed a peace deal, 2015 but it later collapsed in 2016. A peace deal was later reached between the two restoring Dr Riek Machar to his position as First Vice President along with the other four vice presidents.
The deal brought an immediate truce and the formation of a transitional government ahead of the drafting of a new constitution and new elections.
Dr. Elia further reiterated the government’s commitment to fully implement the agreement in letter and spirit.
Maj. Gen. Tai said it was less than one year before the end of the transitional period and urged the government set out the most critical tasks for the conducting of free, fair and credible elections in the country.
