The chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJEMC), Gen. Charles Tai Gituai, has issued a stern warning that delays in implementing key tasks could jeopardize the upcoming elections.
He stressed that swift progress is needed on crucial issues such as drafting a permanent constitution, refining the electoral process, and actualizing the unification of forces. Without timely action on these fronts, the commission cautions that the elections may face significant obstacles.
Gituai who issued the warning while presenting the RJMEC quarterly report on the status of the implementation of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement at the national parliament on Tuesday, said there has been insufficient progress in the implementation of these tasks, cautioning that this may impede the conduct of elections slated for December.
“In RJMEC’s assessment, there has been insufficient progress made in implementing the peace agreement in the period that it was reported,” he said. “Key tasks such as the permanent constitution-making and the unification of the forces remain largely at the same stage as they were at the end of the last period.”
The RJMEC chair further called on the parties to the agreement to dialogue on the way forward for holding elections and cuddle the Tumaini initiative that seeks to attain comprehensive peace in the country.
“To the parties to the agreement and relevant stakeholders, engage in dialogue in the spirit of collegiality on the best way forward on the holding of election and provide a detailed plan to the people of South Sudan on the implementation of the roadmap and embrace the Tumaini Initiative as a means of bringing peace,” he stressed.
Gituai said the budget released to the peace institutions was insufficient, thus, hindering their ability to complete the required tasks per the agreement.
“With elections scheduled for December 2024, it is hoped that the dialogue by the parties will bring hope and clarity. It is important that some progress has been made in establishing the key institutions charged with the constitution-making and conduct of elections,” he stated. “A lot remains to be done to equip them to carry their mandate fully. Similarly, the resources available to these institutions fall short of the proposed budget, hindering their ability to complete the required tasks.”