Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Tuesday, 3 August 2021 2021 , Juba, South Sudan

RJMEC welcomes the swearing in of the Transitional National Legislature

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) welcomes the swearing in of the members of the reconstituted Transitional National Leglislative Assembly (TNLA), and the Council of States of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) of the Republic of South Sudan, yesterday at Freedom Hall, in Juba. Furthermore, RJMEC welcomes the appointment of Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba and Hon. Deng Deng Akon as the Speaker of the reconstituted TNLA and of the Council of States, respectively.

It is encouraging to note that the Speaker of the reconstituted TNLA, and a Deputy Speaker of the Council of States are women. The appointment of women in these positions is a commendable step in line with the spirit of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).    

Taken together, these two bodies form the Transitional National Legislature (TNL). A legislature made up of members from the different Parties to the R-ARCSS and representing the diverse people of South Sudan performs vital tasks including making and debating legislation, and performing oversight tasks. 

Much work awaits the members of the reconstituted TNLA and CoS, such as the ratification of the amended security bills and the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 8 (2020), which were drafted by the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) and presented to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. 

With the momentum created, RJMEC expects that the RTGoNU will now focus on the completion of the outstanding governance issues, including the reconstitution of the State Legislature, and the restructuring and reconstitution of Institutions and Commissions at the national level. 

RJMEC urges the reconsituted TNLA to use its good offices to push forward the completion of the outstanding security issues, including the graduation and redployment of the unified forces. 

RJMEC also urges that the necessary steps be taken by those repsonsible for the remaining members of the two bodies to be appointed and/or sworn in. 

ENDS

Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Thursday, 22 July 2021 , Juba, South Sudan

RJMEC convenes its 18thmonthly plenary, lack of implementation of Transitional Security Arrangements remains a critical concern

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) on Thursday 22 July 2021, held its 18thmonthly meeting in Juba, South Sudan. 

During the meeting, RJMEC Interim Chairperson Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said that a lack of implementation of the Transitional Security Arrangements remains a “critical concern”.

“Even though some progress has been made in some areas of implementation of the (Peace) Agreement, a critical concern remains on the security arrangements, which is fundamental to the peace process.” General Gituai also appealed to the Parties to “urgently resolve the issue of the ratio of the unified forces and the unified command structure of the Necessary Unified Forces.” 

The Interim Chairperson further urged the RTGoNU (Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity), “in the spirit of addressing the insecurity in the country”, to expedite the unification of forces and the Transitional Security Arrangements, and establish the state security committees.

“I urge the RTGoNU to make financial resources available for the completion of the Transitional Security Arrangements, including graduation and redeployment of unified forces,” he added.

Emphasising the importance of the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) and the Council of States, Maj. Gen. Gituai told the meeting that the swearing in of the members of these bodies should take place, while adhering to the 35% level of women representation and fair representation of the youth.

“This is important, particularly in the case of the TNLA because it should, upon commencement of its work, immediately ratify some important legislation that has been held up,” he said.

In his recommendations, the Interim Chairperson appealed to the Parties to the Agreement for continued dialogue and trust- and confidence-building among them on all unresolved issues, “with a greater show of political will and commitment.”

“With the memories of celebrating ten years of independence fresh in our minds, we note that the months of August and September mark the halfway point of the Transitional Period and the three years since the signing of the R-ARCSS respectively.”

“It is therefore imperative that the RTGoNU redoubles its efforts on the implementation of the remaining tasks that lay ahead of them,” he noted.

FULL STATEMENT: https://www.jmecsouthsudan.org/index.php/jmec-statements/item/573-statement-by-h-e-maj-gen-charles-tai-gituai-rtd-interim-chairperson-rjmec-to-the-18th-rjmec-monthly-meeting-thursday-22-july-2021-juba-south-sudan 

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) on Thursday 22 July 2021, held its 18thmonthly meeting in Juba, South Sudan. 

HonourableMinisters, 

Excellencies, 

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning. 

1.  First of all, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a Happy Independence Day which took place on 9 July 2021, and for our Muslim brothers and sisters, I wish you an Eid Mubarak.

First and foremost, this is a message of congratulation to the people of South Sudan on achieving ten years of independence. Hard fought and long in coming, that moment of liberation is truly something to be celebrated. Though the challenges since have been numerous, the achievement is nonetheless great, and we must all believe that the future is bright. 

A high-level delegation took a trip to Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) took place yesterday, 1 June 2021. RJMEC Chair Maj Gen Charles Tai Gituai travelled along with the Head of African Union Mission, Professor Joram Biswaro, IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, Dr Ismail Wais, UNMISS SRSG Nicholas Haysom and DSRSG Guang Cong, and esteemed members of the African Diplomatic Corps from the region, including Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia and Uganda, as well as from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

1.   What does the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) say about the South Sudan Permanent Constitutional Making Process?

Under Chapter 6, the R-ARCSS lays a robust framework for the permanent constitutional-making process. The key features are as follows:

The launch of South Sudan permanent constitution-making process is historic as it marks a significant milestone in the design and making of a durable constitution for the Republic of South Sudan, said the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission.

H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan

H.E Dr. Abdalla Hamdock, Prime of the Republic of Sudan

H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny, First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan

H.E. Madam Rebecca Garang, Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan

H.E. Gen. Taban Deng Gai, Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan

H.E. Dr. James Wani Igga, Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan

H.E. Gen. Hussein Abdelbagi, Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan

H.E. Dr. Mariam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi, Chairperson IGAD Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Sudan

H.E. Hon. Justice Ruben Madol, Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs

Honorable Ministers of the RTGoNU

H.E. Dr. Ismail Wais, IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan

H.E. Amb. Professor Joram Biswaro, Head of African Union Mission in South Sudan

H.E. Nicholas Haysom, UN SRSG and Head of UNMISS

Excellencies Ambassadors, and Members of the Diplomatic Corps

Dr. Kathrin Scherr, Representative of the Max Planck Foundation 

Honourable Delegates-Representatives of the ITGoNU, SPLM/A-IO, SSOA, FDs and OPP

Honorable Delegates-Representatives of Eminent Persons, Youth, Women, Academia, Faith-based Leaders, CSOs, and Business Community.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Good morning.  

1.  I am greatly honoured to welcome H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, the President of the Republic of South Sudan, and every one of you to the official launch of the Permanent Constitution-making Process Workshop. The launch of this historic workshop today marks a significant milestone in the design and making of a durable constitution for the Republic of South Sudan. It is also a big step towards the full implementation of the Revlitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan of 2018 (R-ARCSS), and indeed further evidence of the commitment of the Parties to the Revitalised Peace Agreement to bestow upon this country a durable and people-owned constitution at the end of the Transitional Period.

2.  Under the Revitalised Peace Agreement, the new Permanent Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan is expected inter-alia to guide the conduct of elections at the end of the Transitional Period, guarantee good governance, constitutionalism, rule of law, human rights, and gender equality.

3.  I want to thank H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny, First Vice President, all the four Vice Presidents and the entire leadership and members of the Parties to the RTGoNU, for staying the course of peace, and providing leadership in the implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement, all the delays and challenges notwithstanding. 

4.  I also thank the IGAD leadership, the Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers, the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, the IGAD Heads of Mission in Juba, the African Union representative, the United Nations Family, the Troika, the European Union, the People’s Republic of China, the IGAD Partners Forum, and all partners and friends of South Sudan, for standing with the people of South Sudan. Your continued support to the full implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement is critical for building a stable, peaceful, inclusive and democratic South Sudan.

5.  I congratulate the delegates who have been nominated by their Parties and Stakeholders to deliberate at this workshop and agree on the details of the permanent constitution-making process over the next two days. The whole country is looking to your technical expertise to design a viable path for the making of a constitution that will help restore permanent and sustainable peace, security and stability in the country. 

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

6.  I would like to underscore the importance of this workshop. Under Article 6.9 of the R-ARCSS, the outcome of this workshop shall form the basis for drafting the legislation to be enacted to govern the Constitution-making process. I would like to thank the Parties and Stakeholders to the Peace Agreement for entrusting the RJMEC with the responsibility for convening this workshop, as per article 6.7.

7.  Pursuant to article 6.8, the Agreement requires that the workshop be moderated and facilitated by an institute renowned internationally for constitution-making. I am pleased to announce that the RJMEC selected the Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law to undertake the task. 

8.  In preparation for this workshop, RJMEC commissioned a comprehensive comparative study on constitution-making proceses within the region and beyond to inform this process. In addition, the Max Planck authored a series of thematic reflection papers to assist the delegates to focus on the issues at hand. Over the last few months, six sensitisation meetings and one joint consultation meeting of the nominees have been held. I am confident that the next two days will be a success.

9.  I thank Dr. Kathryn Scherr and her team from the Max Planck Foundation, who are working very closely with our RJMEC team, led by Mr Stephen Oola, our Senior Advisor on Legal and Constitutional Affairs in preparation for this workshop. I also thank all our partners, UNMISS, UN Women, UNDP, and the South Sudanese members of the Civil Society Constitutional Working Group, who have contributed enormously to these efforts, including through capacity building workshops and public advocacy for different stakeholders, and thematic discussions with delegates.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

10.       This workshop marks the beginning of the constitution-making process. A lot of work will follow, including the enactment of the legislation to govern the process, the reconstitution of the National Constitutonal Review Commission (NCRC), the appointment of a Sub-Committee for the convening of the National Constitutional Conference (NCC), civic education, and the implementation of all agreed workshop outcomes. This process will require a lot of political, technical, financial and logistical support. I would therefore like to appeal to the RTGoNU, regional guarantors, international partners and friends of South Sudan to fully support this process.

11.       In conclusion,  I would like to thank H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. Dr. Mariam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi, Chairperson IGAD Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Sudan, your Excellencies, and all the distinguished participants here for attending this launch, and I wish the delegates very fruitful deliberations over the next two days. Together with the Max Planck Foundation, we look forward to presenting the outcome of the workshop to the RTGoNU upon its conclusion, which will then embark on a process of the constitution-makingI

Thank You. 

WORKSHOP ONTHE PERMANENT CONSTITUTION-MAKING PROCESSIN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN, 25-27 MAY 2021

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) announces the convening of a permanent Constitution-making process workshop from 25-27 May 2021 in Juba, Republic of South Sudan. The three-day workshop will start with an official opening by H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit on Tuesday 25 May 2021, at Freedom Hall, Juba, and will also be addressed by H.E. Dr. Mariam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi, Chairperson IGAD Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan.

This opening ceremony will be attended by over 250 invited guests, including the delegates to the workshop. This will be followed by two days of closed-door deliberations, at Palm Africa Hotel, from 26-27 May 2021 to be attended only by the nominees of the Parties and Stakeholders to the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). These are representatives of the Incumbent TGoNU; SPLM/A-IO; SSOA; FDs; OPP, Eminent Personalities; Faith-Based Leaders, Academic; Women’s groups; Youth; Civil Society and Business Community.

Convened by the RJMEC pursuant to Article 6.7 of the R-ARCSS, the workshop is meant for the Parties to the R-ARCSS to agree on the details of the Permanent Constitution-making process. Under Article 6.9 of the R-ARCSS, the outcome of the workshop shall form the basis for drafting the legislation to guide the Permanent Constitution-making process as outlined under Chapter 6 of the R-ARCSS. The workshop will be facilitated by the Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and Rule of Law, a Germany-based instituterenowned internationally for constitution-making, pursuant to Article 6.8 of the R-ARCSS. The outcome of the workshop will be presented to the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU), which will then embark on a process of Constitution-making.

The RJMEC is the official oversight body under the R-ARCSS established pursuant to Chapter 7 of the R-ARCSS to monitor, evaluate and oversee the implementation of the R-ARCSS, and the mandate and tasks of the RTGoNU and all institutions and mechanisms established by the Revitalised Peace Agreement.The Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law is an independent and not-for-profit legal research institute with long experience in constitution-making processes worldwide. Its engagements in South Sudan’s constitutional work date back to (the then) Southern Sudan in 2002. The Max Planck Foundation has been actively supporting the rule of law sector in South Sudan for the past 19 years.

For further information, please visit www.jmecsouthsudan.organd  www.mpfpr.de.