RJMEC meets Machar, demands justice for war victims
The Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC), Gen Charles Tai Gituai, has called for speedy implementation of Chapter Five of the agreement to ensure justice is delivered to victims of the five-year conflict.
This came after his meeting with the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, on Wednesday in Juba.
According to the First Vice President’s Press Unit, the meeting discussed challenges encountered in the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
“Charles Gituai urged the parties to the agreement to urgently implement chapter five of the agreement to ensure justice is served to the victims of the war,” the statement read in part.
Gituai acknowledged the economic reforms the country had adopted involving transparency and accountability so that a stable national economy could be realised and the humanitarian situation across the country salvaged.
He stressed the implementation of Chapter Two of the R-ARCSS, which entails training and graduation of unified forces.
The R-JMEC boss urged parties to the agreement to ensure that the remaining chapters of the agreement are implemented in full to prepare the country for elections next year.
“The transitional period is entering its last year and I call on the parties to implement expeditiously the remaining chapters of the R-ARCSS to allow the country to its first ever free and fair elections in a peaceful and conducive environment,” Gen. Gituai said.
Logistical gaps
Late in January 2022, the chairman of the Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), Teshome Gemechu Aderie, noted that logistical gaps, including a lack of food and medicine, were delaying the graduation of forces.
“Since the last CTC, the very dire situation at the cantonment sites continues with a lack of food and medicine. Further, there were reported clashes between SSPDF and SPLM/A-IO from January 9 through 13 at Liang, Mirmir, and Turow cantonment sites, which you will be briefed on, ” Teshome said.
“Regarding the training centres, CTSAMVM has observed positive progress with screening undertaken by the regional committees of the JDB responsible for assessing the situation in training centres in order to start processing the forces for graduation. However, the logistical concerns raised at previous CTCs remain because most training centres report a serious lack of food, shelter, and other essential services. “
Investigating attacks
CTSAMVM vowed to investigate continued attacks on innocent civilians by National Salvation Front (NAS).
“Since the last CTC, there have been several incidents allegedly involving NAS forces in Central Equatoria. We are investigating these incidents, and you will be briefed on these incidents, “he stated.
“We acknowledge the efforts of the community of Sant’Egidio to work with CTSAMVM, RJMEC, IGAD, and SSOA to resume the Rome process.”
The violations reported included clashes in Upper Nile State, allegations of the killing of an SPLM/A-IO officer in Eastern Equatoria State and the reported assault of a CTSAMVM National Monitor in Western Equatoria State. Others were the reported deployment of SSPDF forces in Bagari, Western Equatoria State, the status of 11 Division SSPDF, alleged recruitment and training by party signatories, and alleged NAS incidents.
Peace comes first
The TGoNU senior representative, Maj Gen Gatwech Duop, said that peace must be prioritised through the implementation of the agreement. He said that South Sudanese must strive to solve their problems by themselves. He advocated for NAS to be included in the ceasefire monitoring.
Andrea Mangu, the SPLM/A-IO representative, said child abduction, forced recruitment, forced marriage, and other similar issues in Yambio and the deployment of the Wau-Bagari road needed a lasting solution.
He called on CTSAMVM to hold meetings without delay.
The SSOA representative, Samuel Shan, said that flooding and lack of food in the training centres led to a slow pace for the graduation of forces and that needed urgent attention should to expedite the process of force graduation.
The FDs representative, Simon Maker Mading, said the troops should be evacuated from areas inhabited by civilians, accusing the parties to the agreement of being insensitive. He said the troops mingling with civilians could cause insecurity for them.
