RJMEC Interim Chairperson Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said: “This month next year, elections are scheduled to be held, and yet across all chapters of the Agreement, much more progress in implementation is required. One of the key issues holding up progress is funding to all the Agreement institutions and mechanisms,” he said.

He was speaking at the 33rd monthly meeting of the RJMEC in Juba. Considering the diminishing period remaining before elections, Amb. Gituai added, “it is imperative that the Parties to the Agreement cooperate in a collegial manner and present a unified plan for elections.”

On security, the RJMEC Interim Chairperson raised concerns on reported military defections among armed Parties to the R-ARCSS, which often create instability resulting in loss of life and civilian displacement.

“Military defections are clearly contrary to the Revitalised Agreement, and undermine the implementation of both the Transitional Security Arrangements and the Agreement itself,” he said, adding: “In the context of the ongoing unification of forces, military defections are evidently counterproductive.”

Furthermore, Amb. Gituai said, the importance of a people-led and people-owned constitution to consolidate the peaceful and democratic aspirations of South Sudan cannot be overemphasised. 

“In this regard, the delay in the operationalisation of the National Constitutional Review Commission, and the Preparatory Sub-Committee for the National Constitutional Conference is concerning. These two institutions will drive forward the making of the permanent constitution, which will guide the conduct of elections at the end of the Transitional Period.” 

On the humanitarian sector, Amb. Gituai said: “Concerning humanitarian assistance, against the backdrop of projected decreased funding by the international community, the refugee and returnee influx from Sudan has increased the number of vulnerable people in South Sudan that require assistance, which include populations affected by food insecurity, intercommunal violence and persistent flooding, children at critical risk of malnutrition, and women and girls at risk of gender-based violence.” 

He added: “It is therefore imperative for the RGToNU to establish the Special Reconstruction Fund and Board to pave the way for the Pledging Conference, as required by the Agreement. The Fund’s focus on reconstruction and service delivery will help underpin South Sudan’s overall development.”