The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, a body of international officials and experts tasked with a responsibility to monitor and evaluate implementation of the peace agreement, has issued a statement welcoming the decision of the Council of Ministers of the unity government accepting without preconditions, deployment of the Regional Protection Force (RPF) in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolution 2304 (2016).
The monitors said Cabinet Affairs Martin Elia Lomuro communicated the decision to them (JMEC), UNMISS ( United Nations Mission in South Sudan), regional and international partners, that “all outstanding issues” related to the deployment had been resolved with the United Nations and that deployment of the RPF could commence with immediate effect. JMEC, according to the statement, applauded the decision of the government, describing it as critical in creating safe and secure environment to facilitate implementation of the peace agreement in the country and to end war.
“The decision to move forward with immediate deployment of the RPF is critical to providing a secure and safe environment in Juba and creating an enabling environment for the implementation of the peace agreement”, the statement seen by Radio Tamazuj reads in part.
South Sudanese cabinet on Friday passed a resolution permitting the deployment of the regional protection force without demanding preconditions as previously indicated.