The Norwegian Embassy in Juba has contributed at least 1.85 million U.S. dollars as an aid package to South Sudan’s peace monitoring mechanism.
The deal was inked in Juba on Friday between Lars Petter Henie, the Norway Chargé d’affaires and the chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai.
The NOK 20 million aims to help the Commission to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the 2018 peace agreement.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Petter said Norway is a consistent partner of the people of South Sudan and will continue to support the full implementation of the peace agreement, both in letter and spirit.
“We are very happy today to sign this new agreement with RJEMC for continued cooperation during the implementation of the Roadmap,” he said. “RJMEC is a very important partner for Norway and it is vital for the peace process in South Sudan.”
On his part, RJMEC Chairperson Gen. Tai Gituai hailed Norway for helping the peace monitoring body.
“I want to thank Norway for extending this support in the 24-month extension of the Agreement and we are looking forward to ensuring that we live within our mandate and be able to produce results following what our mandate wants us to do,” he said. “We also appreciate Norway because they have always been listening to our concerns and it has continued not only in supporting RJMEC but also supporting the Government of South Sudan.”
On 15 July 2022, the US cut off financial support for RJMEC and CTSAMVM, the country’s peace monitoring mechanism, due to a lack of progress in implementing the 2018 peace pact.
Lack of funds forced national ceasefire monitors serving with the CTSAMVM to down their tools in March after they were not paid allowances for 10 months.