Establishment of numbers, training sites and start dates of cantonment remains an essential step towards the effective unification of South Sudan security forces, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has   said.
 
 “Declaring the numbers, locations and start dates of cantonment and training sites (for forces) is essential to be able to move forward to the next decisive phase of unification of forces," said  RJMEC Interim Chairperson Ambassador Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge said during the official closing ceremony of a two-day workshop on Friday in Juba.

The workshop was convened on Thursday by RJMEC, and was attended by chairpersons and members of all the security mechanisms responsible for the implementation of the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements of the Revitalized peace Agreement. 
 
The mechanisms established under Chapter II of the Agreement are the Joint Defence Board, the Joint Military Ceasefire Commission, the Joint Transitional Security Committee and the Strategic Defence and Security Review Board.
 
“The issue of training will become critical when unifying and sustaining the national South Sudanese defence and security forces. The Joint Transitional Security Committee (JTSC) should therefore develop rigorous criteria for training,” Lt Gen Njoroge continued. 
 
Yours is sensitive work, Ambassador Njoroge told members of the security mechanisms, “but vital aspects such as trust, truthfulness, and clarity of objectives were all debated (at the workshop) in a collegiate and professional manner.” 
 
“I expect that your work will continue in this constructive way. The gaps and challenges that are common in tasks such as yours will be more easily overcome through discipline and continued cooperation.” 

Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Friday, 01 February 2019, Juba, South Sudan       

Establishment of cantonment, training sites key for S. Sudan army unification, says RJMEC

Establishment of numbers, training sites and start dates of cantonment remains an essential step towards the effective unification of South Sudan security forces, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has   said.
 
Speaking during the official closing ceremony of a two-day workshop on Friday in Juba, RJMEC Interim Chairperson Ambassador Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge said: 
 
“Declaring the numbers, locations and start dates of cantonment and training sites (for forces) is essential to be able to move forward to the next decisive phase of unification of forces.”
 
The workshop was convened on Thursday by RJMEC, and was attended by chairpersons and members of all the security mechanisms responsible for the implementation of the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements of the Revitalized peace Agreement. 
 
The mechanisms established under Chapter II of the Agreement are the Joint Defence Board, the Joint Military Ceasefire Commission, the Joint Transitional Security Committee and the Strategic Defence and Security Review Board.
 
“The issue of training will become critical when unifying and sustaining the national South Sudanese defence and security forces. The Joint Transitional Security Committee (JTSC) should therefore develop rigorous criteria for training,” Lt Gen Njoroge continued. 
 
Yours is sensitive work, Ambassador Njoroge told members of the security mechanisms, “but vital aspects such as trust, truthfulness, and clarity of objectives were all debated (at the workshop) in a collegiate and professional manner.” 
 
“I expect that your work will continue in this constructive way. The gaps and challenges that are common in tasks such as yours will be more easily overcome through discipline and continued cooperation.” 

ENDS

The Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) Ambassador Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge has advised military generals in S. Sudan to desist from engaging in politics, and instead serve citizens professionally. 

“I want to address you as soldiers. In my experience as a soldier, I have learned that soldiers should leave politics to politicians. I therefore, expect you as soldiers to perform your duties in a professional manner, and uninfluenced by politics,” he noted.

Ambassador Njoroge added, “Key to your demonstration of professionalism is to provide accurate facts and figures. Only the truth will enable you to develop a clear strategy and realistic plans that will enable you to accomplish your mission.”

He was addressing Chairpersons and members of all the security mechanisms responsible for the implementation of the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements of the Revitalized peace Agreement. The two-day orientation and coordination workshop got underway today in Juba, and is convened by the RJMEC. 

“It is also vital to your success that you develop trust amongst yourselves, the soldiers you command and the people you serve,” he said. 

The mechanisms are the Joint Defence Board (JDB), Joint Military Ceasefire Commission (JMCC), Joint Transitional Security Committee (JTSC) and the Strategic Defence and Security Review Board (SDSR-B). 

The workshop is aimed at creating a common understanding of the provisions of the Agreement, develop modalities for coordination among all security mechanisms and identify challenges hampering the execution of their mandate.

“I am fully aware that the permanent ceasefire is largely holding, thanks to the efforts of all of you,” he said.

Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Thursday, 31 Janaury 2019, Juba, South Sudan       

Leave politics to politicians, RJMEC advises Generals in S. Sudan

“Leave politics to politicians” was the message delivered to the representatives of the various security mechanisms by the Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) Ambassador Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge.  

“I want to address you as soldiers. In my experience as a soldier, I have learned that soldiers should leave politics to politicians. I therefore, expect you as soldiers to perform your duties in a professional manner, and uninfluenced by politics,” he noted.

Ambassador Njoroge added, “Key to your demonstration of professionalism is to provide accurate facts and figures. Only the truth will enable you to develop a clear strategy and realistic plans that will enable you to accomplish your mission.”

He was addressing Chairpersons and members of all the security mechanisms responsible for the implementation of the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements of the Revitalized peace Agreement. The two-day orientation and coordination workshop got underway today in Juba, and is convened by the RJMEC. 

“It is also vital to your success that you develop trust amongst yourselves, the soldiers you command and the people you serve,” he said. 

The mechanisms are the Joint Defence Board (JDB), Joint Military Ceasefire Commission (JMCC), Joint Transitional Security Committee (JTSC) and the Strategic Defence and Security Review Board (SDSR-B). 

The workshop is aimed at creating a common understanding of the provisions of the Agreement, develop modalities for coordination among all security mechanisms and identify challenges hampering the execution of their mandate.

“I am fully aware that the permanent ceasefire is largely holding, thanks to the efforts of all of you,” he said.

ENDS 

Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Wednesday, 30 Janaury 2019, Juba, South Sudan   

RJMEC EXPRESSES CONCERN AT REPORTS OF MILITARY BUILD-UP

In response to having received various reports of military build-up in the area of Yei River State, the Reconsituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) urges restraint on all sides. 

The progress made so far in terms of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) of December 2017 and the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) of September 2018 is a worthy achievement and should not in any way be looked on lightly by any Party.

RJMEC wishes to make it clear to all Parties that South Sudan is presently at a critical phase of the implementation of the peace Agreement, which since signing, has been characterized by a spirit of cooperation. 

Likewise, that the ceasefire has been largely holding is a great credit to all its signatories, and we urge that this continue. The silencing of guns is a matter of high national importance.

RJMEC therefore urges all Parties to grasp firmly the IGAD-led diplomatic process and allow the full implementation of the peace Agreement. 

The general political and security atmosphere has been conducive for implementation of the revitalized agreement “with a commendable show of commitment and cooperation” exhibited by all the Parties, the reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission has said. 

Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Friday, January 25, 2019, Juba, South SudAN

Report responsibly and accurately, RJMEC tells S. Sudan media 

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission has asked the South Sudan media to promote cooperation and peaceful co-existence among citizens for effective implementation of the Revitalised peace Agreement.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of a two-day media workshop in Juba on Friday, RJMEC Chief of Staff, Ambassador Berhanu Kebede, said:

“As members of the media, your role is not only informing the public about what is happening, but also doing so in a responsible manner. You provide a voice to the voiceless, giving articulation to their needs,”

“A strong healthy country needs a media that promotes peaceful cooperation and co-existence among all South Sudanese, and we need a media that focuses on informing citizens of their rights, and on the progress of the implementation of the Agreement,” Ambassador Kebede said.

“You must therefore understand the full seriousness of this role, and ensure that you promote peace, togetherness and unity,” he added. 

The workshop themed “Towards accurate reporting on IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons), Refugees and Returnees” was organized by Community for Progress Organization (CEPO), in collaboration with RJMEC and Union of Journalists of South Sudan (UJOSS) and brought together 65 South Sudan journalists.  The workshop was aimed at strengthening the capacity of media to report accurately on IDPs, returnees and refugees.

Broadly speaking, Ambassador Kebede said, “the ceasefire is holding, and the spirit of cooperation and consensus is enduring.”

“Within this overall picture, it is also important to see how the millions of people who have been displaced from their homes can return and rebuild their lives,” he said.

ENDS

Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Wednesday, January 23, 2019, Juba, South Sudan

Unification of armed forces will be “a decisive milestone” for this Revitalized Agreement, says Interim JMEC Chairperson

As the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement approaches a crucial period, the disengagement, cantonment and unification of armed forces in the Republic of South Sudan will be a “decisive milestone”, the Interim Chairperson of the reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) has said.

In a statement(READ FULL STATEMENT HERE) delivered during the opening of the 3rdPlenary of the reconstituted JMEC in Juba on Wednesday, Ambassador Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge said, 

“It is very important that all the armed forces of South Sudan are unified. With the rapid approach of the Transitional period, their unification will be a decisive milestone for this agreement, which is why no effort should be spared in achieving this.” 

He added, “I expect that the work of the security institutions and mechanisms will quickly gather momentum, and that practical steps shall be taken to expedite the disengagement, cantonment and unification of forces.”

On mobilization of resources to support an “uninterrupted” implementation of the agreement, Ambassador Njoroge said, 

“It is (for) the National Pre-transitional Committee and the incumbent Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU)to take the lead in mobilizing all requisite resources for implementation, establish effective mechanisms for disbursing funds, and support the other mechanisms of the Agreement to carry out their tasks without delay.”

“We continue our outreach to the donor community in the search for funds to support implementation, and we reiterate our heartfelt thanks for those who have already made contributions, be it financially or in–kind,” he said.

ENDS