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JUBA - 1 Feb 2016

JMEC meeting to discuss outstanding matters tomorrow

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) and parties to the South Sudanese peace agreement are scheduled to meet on Tuesday to discuss ways how to implement the signed peace agreement.

The meeting comes after the JMEC chairman and East African leaders meeting in Addis Ababa over the weekend called for the formation of the transitional power-sharing government, saying this step is long overdue, according to the timetable of the August 2015 peace deal.

Dhieu Mathok, a member of the SPLM-IO advance team in Juba, told Radio Tamazuj that JMEC will meet tomorrow to discuss contentious issues facing the constitutional amendments committee. Meetings of the constitutional committee were halted last week due to a dispute over the issue of 28 states established by President Kiir and other issues.

For his part, Michael Makuei, the spokesman for South Sudan’s government, confirmed that there are points of disagreement at the constitutional review committee. Makuei blamed the armed opposition for their failure to form a transitional government of national unity.

He pointed out that there are disagreements on the 28 states and the number of presidential advisers to be appointed. He added the government wants a transitional government before constitutional amendments are completed, while the armed opposition demands drafting of the constitution first.

Separately, JMEC has announced that the Strategic Defense and Security Review Board is scheduled to meet today. The committee, which comprises signatories of the peace deal and other stakeholders, will introduce and review its own mandate, review a proposed workplan and appoint a chairman and secretary, according to the meeting agenda.