The chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said it is vital for the leaders in South Sudan to budget and guarantee funding for elections after agreeing on a firm timetable for the exercise.
He made the remarks on Wednesday while virtually briefing the meeting of the United Nations Security Council reviewing the status of implementation of the peace agreement.
“With regards to the prospects of elections, an inter-party Committee reviewed the Roadmap implementation, and submitted its report to the Principals, who met yesterday, 13 August,” Amb. Gituai stated. “In response, the Parties to the Agreement by consensus have tasked the relevant institutions and the inter-party Committee to develop a realistic timetable for elections. It is expected that the timetable will be accompanied by a budget and guaranteed funding.”
In reviewing the status of implementation of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement, Amb. Gituai outlined some key challenges that have slowed down progress including; insufficient political will, trust deficit among the Parties, capacity gaps, and persistent levels of intercommunal violence in the states.
Additionally, he said: “All the Agreement institutions and mechanisms have insufficient and unpredictable funding which is hampering their work.”
Amb. Gituai acknowledged that the peace agreement has contributed to relative peace, inclusive governance structures, and the ongoing legal, security, and economic reforms in the Republic of South Sudan.
“It is evident that the revitalized agreement remains the most viable blueprint and transformative framework for achieving enduring peace and prosperity,” he asserted. “I therefore appeal to this Council to remain seized of the peace process in South Sudan and to encourage the international community to mobilize resources and political support for full implementation of the revitalized agreement.”