This article by Major General Charles Tai Gituai, Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), appeared in the local press.

Honourable Minsters,

Excellencies, Ambassadors and Representatives of the Diplomatic Community,

Distinguished participants of the conference,

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning. 

1.  I send you greetings from the interim Chairperson of RJMEC, Major General Charles Tai Gituai, who regrets he cannot be here today. It is therefore my honour to present the following statement on his behalf.

2.At the outset, I would like to take this early moment to thank H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, for  steering the peace process to this point so far. From the time of the High-Level Revitalisation Forum to the signing of the Revitalised Peace Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) in September 2018, to the establishment of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) in February 2020, his leadership has been evident. The President’s decision to revert the country to ten states in February this year was a historic decision which allowed the formation of RTGoNU on a solid foundation. Furthermore, all the Parties to the R-ARCSS have played their part in this success, just like the people of South Sudan who have stood alongside their leaders in the demand for sustainable peace and the full implementation of the Agreement.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, 

3.   This National Dialogue conference is a part of the concerted efforts towards finding solutions for the sustainable peace in this country. We must therefore all agree that the inclusion and recognition of the voices of the diverse peoples of South Sudan is of utmost importance to the peaceful future of this country. 

4.The R-ARCSS has already achieved some tangible peace dividends which must be consolidated, delays and challenges notwithstanding. Therefore, all the Parties to the agreement should seize the opportunity to continuously dialogue amongst themselves and with the people of South Sudan on how to address recurring challenges, implement all its provisions and put this country firmly and irrevocably on the path of sustainable peace and development. This is why the ability to reach and to listen to the grassroots is such an important achievement, and I hope that this conference will reveal much about how to do that.

5.  As we continue to implement the Agreement in this Transitional Period, we should appreciate just how the voices of the entire spectrum of South Sudanese society are so important and critical in the implementation. Chapter 5 on Transitional Justice, is essential to atone for crimes committed during the dark days of conflict - the “untold human suffering” that the agreement acknowledges. In this regard, expeditious establishment of the three Transitional Justice institutions will be a great leap forward and RTGoNU support on this matter is critical. Already the African Union has commenced towards the establishment of the Hybrid Court of South Sudan. 

6.  Furthermore, Chapter 6 of the Agreement on establishing the Permanent Constitution is vital, as it will lay a critical fundamental foundation for enduring peace in South Sudan. The Preamble of the Revitalised Peace Agreement duly recognises that the Parties to the Agreement are “determined to compensate our people by recommitting ourselves to peace and constitutionalism and not to repeat mistakes of the past.” Therefore, ensuring that the Permanent Constitution is a true reflection of all South Sudan’s peoples’ views of which is of paramount importance.

7.  When the Constitution-making process is fully underway, reaching communities at grass-root level and understanding the perspectives of all peoples of South Sudan, irrespective of their backgrounds or political beliefs and affiliations, will be a critical ingredient in establishing the solid foundation that Chapter 6 intends to lay. The RJMEC Secretariat will shortly be convening a workshop to push this process along, as per Article 6.7 of the R-ARCSS. In addition, a comparative study on post-conflict constitution-making processes has been conducted to inform this process, and copies are available on the RJMEC website. 

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, 

8.  In closing, I would like to say that the vision of the Revitalised Peace Agreement – to lay “the foundation for a united, peaceful and prosperous society based on justice, equality, respect for human rights and the rule of law”– is truly laudable. I urge the National Dialogue to support the achievement of this goal through whatever ways they can, not least in the sharing of their knowledge and experience they have gained in their work. Their recommendations at the end of this conference will be of particular interest and it is RJMEC’S hope that those recommendations will bond well with the R-ARCSS. I wish all participants every success in this event.

 Thank you

Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Thursday, 4 November 2020, Juba, South Sudan

RJMEC ADDRESSES NATIONAL DIALOGUE CONFERENCE: URGES ITS SUPPORT OF REVITALISED PEACE AGREEMENT  

At the opening day of the National Dialogue conference on 3 November 2020, held in Juba, South Sudan, Ambassador Berhanu Kebede, Chief of Staff of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), delivered remarks to the distinguished participants on behalf of Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai, Interim Chairperson of RJMEC. 

Noting that the “National Dialogue conference is a part of the concerted efforts towards finding solutions for the sustainable peace in this country”, Ambassador Kebede told the gathering: 

“We must therefore all agree that the inclusion and recognition of the voices of the diverse peoples of South Sudan is of utmost importance to the peaceful future of this country.”

Referring to the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), he continued: 

“I would like to say that the vision of the Revitalised Peace Agreement – to lay “the foundation for a united, peaceful and prosperous society based on justice, equality, respect for human rights and the rule of law”– is truly laudable. I urge the National Dialogue to support the achievement of this goal through whatever ways they can, not least in the sharing of their knowledge and experience they have gained in their work. Their recommendations at the end of this conference will be of particular interest and it is RJMEC’S hope that those recommendations will bond well with the R-ARCSS.”

In particular, Ambassador Kebede drew attention to Chapters Five and Six of the R-ARCSS in his remarks.

“As we continue to implement the Agreement in this Transitional Period, we should appreciate just how the voices of the entire spectrum of South Sudanese society are so important and critical in the implementation. Chapter 5 on Transitional Justice, is essential to atone for crimes committed during the dark days of conflict - the “untold human suffering” that the agreement acknowledges. In this regard, expeditious establishment of the three Transitional Justice institutions will be a great leap forward and RTGoNU support on this matter is critical.”

Ambassador Kebede added: “Furthermore, Chapter 6 of the Agreement on establishing the Permanent Constitution is vital, as it will lay a critical fundamental foundation for enduring peace in South Sudan. The Preamble of the Revitalised Peace Agreement duly recognises that the Parties to the Agreement are “determined to compensate our people by recommitting ourselves to peace and constitutionalism and not to repeat mistakes of the past.” Therefore, ensuring that the Permanent Constitution is a true reflection of all South Sudan’s peoples’ views of which is of paramount importance.”

“When the Constitution-making process is fully underway, reaching communities at grass-root level and understanding the perspectives of all peoples of South Sudan, irrespective of their backgrounds or political beliefs and affiliations, will be a critical ingredient in establishing the solid foundation that Chapter 6 intends to lay.”

Ambassador Kebede began his remarks by thanking H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, for steering the peace process to this point so far, noting that throughout the process, his leadership has been evident, and that the people of South Sudan have stood alongside their leaders in the demand for sustainable peace and the full implementation of the Agreement. 

[ENDS]

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring & Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has released its latest quarterly on the status of implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.  

The reconstituted Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) working committees have started their meetings this week.

By Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai

I would like to start by offering my thanks to the President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, and the Government of South Sudan for the very warm welcome and reception I have so far received in this country. I also wish to take this very early opportunity to thank H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya for bestowing special trust and confidence in me by nominating me for this appointment. My gratitude and thanks also must go to the IGAD Heads of State and Government for endorsing me as the Interim Chair of RJMEC. 

The Interim Chairperson H.E Maj. Gen. Charles Gituai met Republic of Sudan, H.E Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok in the South Sudan capital, Juba, on Friday.

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) expresses its concern at fighting in the Yei River area, reportedly caused by the defection of a General from the SPLM/A-IO to the SSPDF. Furthermore, RJMEC strongly condemns all loss of life and displacement of civilians, and urges the parties involved to come swiftly to the table and resolve any issues through dialogue. In this regard, we commend the ongoing efforts of the Joint Defence Board to investigate the issue and avoid the repetition of such incidents in the future.  

Whether it is referred to as ‘defection’ or ‘change of allegiance’, the important point is that the Revitalised Peace Agreement in South Sudan has made commendable progress in the past two years since its signing and this must not be allowed to weaken because of instability caused by defections or accepting defections, which is contrary to the letter and spirit of the Agreement.  

The joint training centre at Moroto, which was also the scene of some fighting in recent days, is one of 18 functioning training centres in South Sudan. Each training centre is a symbol of the unity which is being forged through creating a unified national army, and any threat to this is reprehensible. In this regard, I have requested CTSAMVM to investigate and report on its findings.

Whatever the source or driver of instability, RJMEC reminds all parties that the diplomatic architecture exists to manage all issues peacefully. In addition to the Revitalised Peace Agreement of 2018, there is the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement of December 2017, the Rome Declaration of January 2020 and the Rome Resolution of February 2020, all of which affirm the signatories’ commitment to pursue dialogue and the protection of civilians. 

As South Sudan moves into its third year of implementation of the R-ARCSS, it is clear that much remains to be done in a short time. RJMEC condemns any action by any party which detracts from the important work of peacebuilding in the country, and joins all other voices in urging constructive dialogue. 

ENDS

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has asked South Sudan leaders to seek political consensus on the deadlock on Upper Nile and appoint a governor.