The Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) has expressed excitement over the work of the Judicial Reform Committee (JRC), reiterating its commitment to support the validation process of the report.

IGAD’s special envoy to South Sudan, Ambassador Ismael Wais, told the press on Wednesday after meeting Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs Justice Ruben Marol that the JRC’s report is ready and only pending validation.

The IGAD diplomat revealed that during the meeting, the two institutions also deliberated on issues including the December elections, the work of the JRC, and the National Constitution Amendment Committee (NCAC) among others.

“We have the JRC and you remember that this committee has delivered all its services. They have produced their report and are working to validate it with all the stakeholders they have met. We are ready to support the validation of that report” he affirmed. “I had the possibility of meeting the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and it was a very constructive meeting. We had several issues which are still under discussion.”

“As you know the discussion about elections is ongoing and we also discussed the work of NCAC and the way forward for the Republic of South Sudan,” Amb. Wais added.

For his part, Joseph Mabior Malek, the Deputy Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, said that during the meeting, Justice Minister Madol briefed the IGAD envoy on the government’s commitment to implementing the remaining tasks, especially judiciary reforms.

“The Minister of Justice briefed the Ambassador on issues about the implementation of part of the peace agreement that has not been completed, especially the JRC, NCAC and the Permanent Constitution-making process,” he said.

The deputy minister cited the lack of funds as one of the obstacles obstructing the submission of the JRC’s report and completion of the constitution-making process.  He however reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working on the pending tasks.