The Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) said Wednesday it will embark on serious lobbying for funds to implement the pending tasks of the 2018 peace agreement which will now be incorporated in a new timetable.
Addressing reporters shortly after the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC) Extraordinary Plenary approved the extension of the transitional period by another 24 months on Wednesday, Cabinet Affairs Minister Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro said there will be no other extension.
“The next step is to set the ball rolling and to go back to the institutions to reset, readjust the timeframe for implementation of the stages that have not been done, engage with the leadership for funding, and this time to monitor funding to make sure that this time around whatever money is given to us, we implement those provisions that are either in progress or outstanding,” he said. “Going forward, completing the security reform program, especially that of the training, unification, and deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces is paramount, to ensure that there is a conducive environment for the conduct of peaceful, free, and fair democratic elections.”
Dr. Lomuro said they will be reporting to the presidency monthly to make sure that the “issues that arise are addressed head-on other than leaving them languishing for a long time.”
“We are not going to have another opportunity for another extension, none of us here standing before you want to do that but we want to make sure that this time we succeed and prove those who doubt our commitment wrong,” he added.
For his part, Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol who represents the SPLM-IO on the High-level Standing Committee for the Implementation of the Peace Agreement, thanked the people who voted in favor of the extension, noting that they want to dialogue with the people who did not vote in favor.
“I congratulate the parties to the agreement for achieving the consent of the members of RJMEC and also to appreciate the other stakeholders who have demonstrated commitment towards their country,” he stated. “They did not vote in favor of the parties to the agreement but because they wanted to protect the country, they have the responsibility towards it, and they have spoken towards their own country.
Minister Kang added: “We also want to appreciate the region and continent for standing with us during our difficult period, it is a good spirit and we will continue to work closely with them.”
He appreciated the members of the International Community who consented to the extension of the transitional period.
“We are grateful that they have seen reasons as to why we asked for this extension, but for those who did not vote for it, we are requesting to dialogue with them so that we chart a new way forward,” Kang added.
Meanwhile, Bishop Moses Deng Bol, Peace Envoy at the South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC), said the church decided to abstain from voting in favor of the extension as there is no clear justification for it and that there has been no difference in the two years extension made in 2022.
“After a thorough review, the Church leaders noted that the justifications for the proposed extension closely mirror those offered in previous extensions. In light of this, the SSCC leadership has resolved to abstain from voting either in favor or against the proposed extension,” he asserted. “Furthermore, the SSCC requests an urgent meeting with the Presidency before making any final decisions. On behalf of the SSCC, I kindly request that the head of the government delegation convey this request for a meeting with the Presidency at the earliest opportunity.”