The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) on Thursday convened its first monthly members’ meeting since the extension of the transitional period of the revitalized agreement peace, a press statement said.
The extension of the transitional period was agreed upon at an extraordinary meeting of the RJMEC on 1 September 2022, in which the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) presented its Roadmap to a Peaceful and Democratic end of the Transitional Period of the peace agreement.
In his statement to the RJMEC members, Ambassador Maj. Gen. (retd) Charles Tai Gituai, the Interim Chairperson of RJMEC, said that several steps forward have been made since the last ordinary meeting of RJMEC in July.
“Those steps include the commencement of the graduation of forces, with around 80 percent of phase 1 of the Necessary Unified Forces graduated,” the statement said. “Additionally, the Constitution-making Process Bill has been passed by the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislature.”
However, despite the progress noted, the RJMEC chairperson urged the RTGoNU, among other things, to prioritize the implementation of the roadmap tasks within the given timelines, and avail predictable, timely, and adequate funding for all Roadmap tasks.
“The people of South Sudan, who are the primary beneficiaries of this peace agreement, have waited a long time to reap the benefits of peace and It is therefore of utmost importance to implement the roadmap in letter and spirit,” Gen. Gituai said. “The RTGoNU must demonstrate the urgency, the unity of purpose, the commitment, the extra effort and political will required to implement the tasks outlined in the roadmap as scheduled.”
Furthermore, he appealed to the RJMEC members to individually and collectively enhance their approaches in engaging the RTGoNU and relevant institutions and mechanisms with a strong focus on facilitating progress.
“Finally, there is a need for us to consolidate our efforts, speak with one voice, and bring all our collective pressure to bear and push for the timely implementation of the roadmap, thereby creating the conditions for the conduct of free, fair, and credible elections,” Gen Gituai concluded.