Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) Interim Chairperson Amb. Maj. Gen. George Owinow, on Monday, while briefing the National Legislature, clarified on the legal procedure governing amendments to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan (TCRSS), 2011 (as amended), during the Transitional Period.
According to a press release extended to this publication by RJMEC, Owinow clarified while presenting the RJMEC quarterly report covering the period from 1 October to 31 December 2025 to the House. The Agreement mandates RJMEC to report quarterly to RTNLA and provide detailed updates on the status of implementation of the Agreement.
Under Article 8.4 of the R-ARCSS, the Revitalized Agreement may be amended by the Parties, provided that at least two-thirds of the members of the Council of Ministers of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) approve the amendment, and at least two-thirds of the voting members of RJMEC consent to it, Owinow told the House. Only thereafter can such an amendment be ratified by the Transitional National Legislature in accordance with the constitutional amendment procedures set out in the TCRSS, 2011 (as amended)
“While Article 8.4 of the R-ARCSS provides for the amendment of both the Agreement and the TCRSS during the Transitional Period, such amendments must be properly initiated in accordance with Article 1.9.4 of the Agreement,” he added.
He further explained that Article 1.9.4 stipulates that the amendments to the TCRSS (2011) and the R-ARCSS may be initiated by the President, the First Vice President, or any of the Vice Presidents, and shall require the agreement of the others.
“Once properly initiated in accordance with these provisions, amendments to the R-ARCSS and the TCRSS (2011), as amended, shall follow the procedures outlined under Article 8.4 of the Agreement,” Amb. Owinow stressed.
In his recommendations, the RJMEC Chief Amb. Owinow asked the RTGoNU to adhere to the provisions of the R-ARCSS, including Articles 1.9.4.1 and 8.4 of the R-ARCSS, on the initiation and approval of any amendments to the TCRSS 2011 (as amended) and the R-ARCSS, through consultation, consensus, and agreement of all the principals to the R-ARCSS.
Owinow emphasised that unless urgent measures are undertaken to restore inclusive dialogue, uphold the sanctity of the R-ARCSS, and ensure inclusivity, South Sudan risks sliding back into instability, jeopardising the hard-won gains of the peace process.
He further urged the signatories to the Revitalised Agreement to abandon all actions that undermine the R-ARCSS, particularly unilateral decisions and breaches of the ceasefire resulting in loss of life, property, and displacement, in order to guarantee humanitarian access and civilian protection.
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