• Your Excellency Honourable Deng Dau Deng - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Sudan

• -  Your Excellency Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu – IGAD Executive Secretary

• -  Your Excellency Gamal Goraish – Representative of the Chairperson of IGAD

• -  Your Excellency, Dr Ismail Wais, IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan;

• -  Honourable Ministers;

• -  Your Excellencies, Representatives of the Parties and

  stakeholders of the Revitalised Peace Agreement;

• -  Mr David Shearer, SRSG and Head of UNMISS;

• -  Representatives of the Diplomatic Community;

• -  Ladies and Gentlemen,

  Good afternoon.

1. It is my pleasure to see so many of you at this occasion, and I feel honoured for this opportunity to address you for the last time as the Interim Chairperson of RJMEC. Throughout my entire period in RJMEC, I have been fully clear of the RJMEC’s mandate of monitoring, evaluating and overseeing the implementation of the Agreement (the R-ARCSS) as well as the mandate and tasks of the RTGoNU, including the adherence of the Parties to the agreed timelines and implementation schedule.

2. Looking back across the four years I have spent here with both the JMEC and RJMEC, I can see that South Sudan has come a long way since 2016 and the days of the High-Level Revitalisation Forum. The R-ARCSS, as many of you know, was signed in September 2018, and since that time, much work has been done, most recently culminating in the formation of the RTGoNU and the beginning of the Transitional Period. To have come this far is quite an achievement, and worthy of congratulations to the Parties and the people of South Sudan. The R-ARCSS is and will always remain a significant milestone in the history of South Sudan. I am glad to have been involved with such a consequential period of this country’s history.

3. However, consideration of a more detailed picture shows that much more could have been achieved by now. Throughout the period since signing the Agreement, I have had concerns about the pace of implementation. At times, it appeared to me like progress stalled. What is clear, is that the implementation pace must accelerate. The establishment of the RTGoNU should have been the factor to catalyse greater and faster progress.

4. The implementation matrix shows us what there is to be done and when, and the reactivated Working Committees give us the tool with which the RJMEC can monitor and assist the RTGoNU in the implementation of the Agreement. Now that it is almost six months n since the Presidency was sworn in, the RTGoNU should come up with a revised and practicable timeframe for implementation, and must nominate their representatives in the RJMEC Working Committees. We need that level of engagement from the RTGoNU.

8. I am also concerned about community-based violence, and the strategy being employed to address it. Disarmament takes time, and may not be the solution in the short term. There is need for political will of the communities and those involved. Disputes should be resolved by dialogue and not violence, while restraint from all those fighting is needed. It is for the elders to control the youth: they must guide the young, and provide the wisdom needed. The civil population of the country should be farmers, tradespeople, engineers, doctors, lawyers, all building the future together. Bearing weapons should be the job of a soldier, not civilians.

9. On all the general and specific challenges: yes, COVID-19 is a major factor, but making progress is nevertheless possible. Don’t let COVID-19 be an excuse for everything undone. That said, I am glad about the recent progress made with responsibility sharing at State level. It is my hope that this will shortly lead to the reconstitution of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly and the Council of States.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

10. I must of course give thanks and extend my heartfelt appreciation to so many who have supported me in the four challenging years of RJMEC leadership. I am happy with what has been achieved so far, but I would have been even happier had the implementation of the R-ARCSS been more advanced than it is now.

11. Firstly, allow me to extend my gratitude to H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, the President of the Republic of South Sudan. His guidance both before and after the signing of the Peace Agreement has been invaluable. My parting message to him must be that we must fast-track implementation, and proceed according to the implementation matrix, as we are behind in so many areas. The RTGoNU, especially the President and Presidency, should set and drive the pace of implementation of the Agreement.

12. Secondly, I wish convey my sincere thanks to IGAD and H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, the President of the Republic of Kenya for the faith they showed in appointing me to the position of Deputy Chairperson of JMEC, and later by IGAD as Interim Chairperson of RJMEC.

13. Thirdly, I feel indebted indeed to the Parties to the Agreement and all the members of the RJMEC brothers and sisters and all the beautiful people of South Sudan, who made my work and my time here so rewarding.

14. Fourthly, I want to take the opportunity to thank the international donors who continued to finance the operations and logistics of RJMEC and request them to continue to do so.

15. Finally, I cannot finish without extending my thanks to my great team at the RJMEC Secretariat, under the able leadership of the Chief of Staff, Ambassador Berhanu Kebede. We often describe the RJMEC Secretariat team as a family, and it has been my pleasure to have been the head of the family for the last two years.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

16. As I sign off I want to wish my successor, Major General Charles Tai Gituai, every success in his role as the Deputy Chairperson and Interim Chairperson of RJMEC. He has a capable team behind him, who will do their all and continue fulfilling the RJMEC mandate. I therefore appeal to all of you, especially those of you listed in Article 7.2 of the Agreement, to give General Gituai all the support that he requires to be effective in delivering the mandate of RJMEC and ultimately achieve the elusive peace and security for the people of South Sudan.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

17. IthasbeenmyhonourtoservethepeopleofSouthSudan.Maythe Almighty God bring sustainable peace to His people. God bless you all.

I thank you.

STATEMENT BY H.E. AMB. LT. GEN. AUGOSTINO S.K. NJOROGE (RTD)

INTERIM CHAIRPERSON, RJMEC TO THE
RJMEC MEMBERS

31st July 2020 Juba, South Sudan

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of RJMEC.

1. My greetings to all of you. Due to the ongoing difficulties presented by the COVID-19 pandemic in holding meetings in person, this statement is delivered to you electronically. The pandemic notwithstanding, we at RJMEC continue to discharge our mandate of monitoring and evaluation of the Peace Agreement to the fullest.

2. My statement today will highlight the status of implementation since our last monthly meeting, and will include the critical Pre- Transitional tasks that remain outstanding. I will also report on developments in the implementation of the Transitional Period tasks. My statement will highlight some recurring issues, and I will then conclude with my recommendations on the way forward.

   Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

3. As I mentioned in my last statement, the implementation of key tasks, particularly the restructuring and reconstitution of the Transitional National Legislature and all the structures of the state and local governments, are behind schedule. I am concerned that other challenges, including mistrust between the Parties to the R-ARCSS, intercommunal violence, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the peace process, are compounding the delays.

15. Now for a word on transitional justice. As mentioned in my last statement, three mechanisms are to be formed in the Transitional Period, namely the Commission on Truth, Reconciliation and Healing (CTRH), the Hybrid Court for South Sudan (HCSS) and the Compensation and Reparation Authority (CRA). The RTGoNU is expected now to initiate legislations towards their establishment, beginning with stakeholder discussions and engagement around the form and shape of these mechanisms. Further, the R-ARCSS requires the RTGoNU to engage and seek the assistance of the African Union, the United Nations and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights in the design of these transitional justice mechanisms. It is my hope that RTGoNU will be seized of the above requirements.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

16. I wish to make my recommendations as follows:

a) I continue to urge for dialogue among the Agreement Parties on all unresolved issues, including agreeing on the allocation of the States leadership, establishment of the Transitional National Legislature, and a cross-party approach to addressing intercommunal violence;

b) I join with the IGAD Assembly in urging the government of South Sudan to provide the necessary funding and logistical support to expedite the implementation of the security arrangements plan including the graduation and redeployment of the unified forces; and the operationalisation of the DDR process;

• Your Excellency, Chairperson of the IGAD Heads of State and Government

• -  Excellencies, Members of the Summit

• -  Your Excellency, IGAD Executive Secretary

• -  Your Excellency, IGAD Special Envoy to South Sudan

• -  Honourable Ministers,

• -  Excellencies,

• -  Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. It is my honour to present to the Summit the status of implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, including my overall observations and recommendations. This report builds on the briefing I made to the members of the 71st Extraordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers held virtually on 23 April 2020.

2. My report today highlights the prevailing political, security, and humanitarian situation in the Republic of South Sudan as well as the status of the implementation of the R-ARCSS, and concludes with recommendations.

   Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

3. My last statement to IGAD, which was to the 71st Extraordinary Session of the Council of Ministers in April, drew its attention to some governance issues that were holding up implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement. In particular, I reported that it is“regrettable that delays have persisted in the restructuring and reconstitution of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly and the Council of States, and agreement between the Parties on theresponsibility sharing at the State and Local Government levels.”

13. The Council of Minister’s last communique urged “the RTGoNU todemonstrate its commitment to sustainable peace in South Sudan by immediately disbursing the required funding for pending Transitional Security Arrangements related tasks.” In particular, thousands of forces that remain in cantonment sites and training centres are in dire need of food, medical supplies and other logistical support. In the training centres of Lologo and Pandit, where food shortages are particularly severe, commanders have warned of things going terribly wrong, if food is not delivered soon. In that regard, I wish to highlight the recent visits to some training centres by the Minister of Defense and the Chief of Defense Forces and others. They have given assurances to the trainees that food is on its way and that graduation will take place during this month of July. My expectation is that these tasks will proceed in a safe and timely manner, while allowing for the challenges presented by COVID-19 pandemic. I would also like to draw the attention of the Summit to the need for the establishment of the Special Reconstruction Fund, as per Article 3.2 of the Agreement.

14. As we evaluate the Transitional Period, we can see that even while allowing for the challenges of COVID-19, the implementation of the R-ARCSS is not keeping up with the expected pace, and that there are indicators for hard times ahead. In view of this and the above said, I would like to conclude with the following respectful recommendations. The Summit to:

    a. urge for continued dialogue and trust-building among the Agreement Parties on all unresolved issues, including agreeing on the responsibility sharing at the State and local government levels, and the restructuring and reconstitution of the Transitional National Legislature. Also, encourage the Parties to continue to observe the 35 percent representation of women at the executive level;

This statement is submitted to the RJMEC members electronically. Its delivery at the virtual monthly meeting has not been possible due to the challenges of COVID-19 and lack of virtual quorum.

STATEMENT

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of RJMEC.

1. I would like to start by offering my apologies for the delay in holding this meeting. I am sure all of you will appreciate the unprecedented challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic which has led to the changes in how we are meeting today. It is far from ideal, and some RJMEC members may be absent – but we have done our best to ensure that as manymembers as possible are present. Even though RJMEC’s ways of doing things may be required to change for the time being, the pursuit of our mandate has not changed.

2. At the outset, I would like to offer my congratulations to those members promoted to high office in the RTGoNU — in particular His Excellency Hussein Abdelbagi, Vice President, Honourable Angelina Teny, Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, and Honourable Stephen Par Kuol, Minister for Peacebuilding. We wish them all the best in their new roles, and I am sure they will all continue to collaborate with us for the good of the whole of South Sudan. On a sad note, I would like to again convey my condolences for the loss of Honourable John Luk Jok, former Minister for East African Affairs and a member of the National Constitutional Amendment Committee. His is a loss to all of us. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Furthermore, I would like to express sympathy to all those suffering the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and extend my condolences to those who have lost loved ones.

3. My statement today will highlight the status of implementation since our last monthly meeting, to include the critical Pre-Transitional tasks that remain outstanding. I will also report on developments in the implementation of the Transitional period tasks. My statement will update members on some current activities of the Secretariat, highlight some recurring issues, and I will then conclude with my recommendations on the way forward.

   Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

4. I would like to begin by congratulating the Agreement Parties on the formation of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU). Though it was extended twice, the Pre-Transitional period ultimately transited into the Transitional Period. This was made possible by the relocation of opposition members to Juba, where they found a conducive environment in which to work freely. This is a success on the part of all the Parties.

5. As you may recall, the Presidency was sworn in on 22 February 2020, and the Council of Ministers was appointed on 16 March 2020. These are significant steps towards the full establishment of the RTGoNU in structure and composition, and it represents a momentous milestone for South Sudan, and one that holds much promise. Now that we are in the Transitional Period, it is time to deliver on that promise and begin the real work of building sustainable peace.

6. At the time the RTGoNU was formed, I met His Excellency Salva Kiir, the President of the Republic of South Sudan to congratulate him for his political leadership, provided during the peace process, and in particular, on the issue of the number of states and their boundaries. I also urged the President to continue working with the members of the Presidency in the spirit of collegiality, cooperation and compromise during the Transitional Period.

7. I also met with their Excellencies, the First Vice President and other Vice Presidents, following the formation of the RTGoNU. I discussed with them the remaining Pre- Transitional tasks, as well as the expectations linked to the implementation of the Transitional activities. I was able to expound on their unique roles as heads of the respective clusters and how this is integral to the successful implementation of the R-ARCSS.

8. During the period since we last met, I also held meetings with some Ministers, including those of Defence, Peacebuilding, and Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Throughout, I reiterated our commitment to deliver on our mandate, as RJMEC, and to work in collaboration with the RTGoNU.

   Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

9. There are many issues to discuss today. In the run up to the crucial talks held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in February 2020, the most critical issues which held up the formation of the RTGoNU included, among others, the resolution of the number of States and their boundaries; ratification of and assent to the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 6, 2020; restructuring and reconstitution of the Transitional National Legislature (that is, the Transitional National Legislative Assembly and Council of States); and selection, screening, training and redeployment of the Necessary Unified Forces (NUF).

10. My expectation was that when the RTGoNU was formed, there would be collegiality, collaboration, consensus building and compromises between the Parties to the Agreement.Following the Parties’ failure to agree on the issue of responsibility sharing at the State and local government levels, Dr Riek Machar Teny, First Vice President and Chairperson of SPLM/A-IO, sought my intervention to assist the Parties to the R-ARCSS to break the deadlock, in line with Article. 7.11. Accordingly, I convened a consultative meeting of the representatives of the Parties to the R-ARCSS on 27 March 2020, but the Parties were still unable to agree on the way forward. As my recommendation for resolution in line with article 1.16.1 of the R-ARCSS was rejected, I formally referred the matter to the IGAD Heads of State and Government on 9 May 2020 for their guidance and urgent intervention.

11. In the meantime, on 18 June 2020, Hon. Nhial Deng Nhial, the Minister of Presidential Affairs announced that bi-lateral discussions between President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar had resulted in agreement on the allocation of the states as follows. The former I-TGoNU shall nominate governors to the states of Unity, Eastern Equatoria, Warrap, Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Central Equatoria and Lakes. The SPLM/A-IO to Upper Nile, Western Bahr El Ghazal, and Western Equatoria; and SSOA to Jonglei. This is still not in conformity with Article 1.16.1 of R-ARCSS as the OPP are not allocated a state as per Article 1.16.1.4.

12. Since the announcement, SSOA has expressed its disappointment at the lack of consultation and restated its preference to nominate a governor to Upper Nile State. However, the Secretary of SSOA later wrote a letter indicating concurrence with the responsibility sharing proposal. At the same time, a representative of the OPP, in a letter addressed to me, stressed that their party was not consulted, or included in negotiations and were waiting for a resolution as would be communicated by the Chairperson of IGAD.

13. My attention was drawn to the confusion arising from the membership of the OPP as provided in the R-ARCS. I, therefore, wish to make clarification as follows:

    1. The OPP referenced in article 1.16.1.4 is the same party to the R-ARCSS as provided for in article 1.3.1.5 and not in article 1.3.1.1; which refers to the OPP in the ITGoNU; and

    2. The OPP has six parties who are signatories to the R-ARCSS and they do not have a single leader (See page.78).

14. While the issue of the determination of the number of states and their boundaries has now been settled, several important issues remain unimplemented, and in the Transitional Period, they must be prioritised for completion. In particular, these are:

    1. reconstitution of the Transitional National Legislature, comprising the Transitional National Legislative Assembly and the Council of States;

    2. unification of forces, including their redeployment; and

    3. DDR process for the former combatants.

15. Other important issues relate to adherence to the provisions of the R-ARCSS in making political appointments, with particular regard to the Undersecretary of Ministry of Petroleum, as well as alterations detected in the Constitutional Amendment Act No. 6, 2020 that was assented to by the President. I have formally drawn His Excellency President SalvaKiir’s attention to these matters. Furthermore, when the President appointed the membersof the Council of Ministers and Deputy Ministers of the RTGoNU, it was noted that the Parties did not adhere to the 35% mandatory provision for women participation in the Executive, as appointments to these bodies stood at 26% and 10% for the cabinet ministers and deputy ministers respectively and therefore not in conformity with articles 1.12.2 and 1.12.5 of the R-ARCSS. I urge all the Agreement Parties to be seized of this gender provision in the R-ARCSS.

23. A second key current activity is the development of the R-ARCSS Transitional Period implementation matrix, which has been provided to the RJMEC members, as well as to the RTGoNU. I would like to remind the RJMEC members to offer their feedback on the implementation matrix to the Secretariat for it to be updated accordingly.

24. Thirdly, RJMEC is required by the R-ARCSS to hold a workshop of the Parties to agree on the modalities of the Permanent Constitution making process. This workshop was due to be held this month, June 2020. However, due to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, we now intend to hold the workshop later in 2020, subject to the Parties agreeing with the recommended timeline. In preparation for the workshop, RJMEC commissioned a comparative study on post-conflict constitution making processes to help highlight lessons for South Sudan. A copy of the report has been shared with RJMEC members.

    Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

25. Now for a word on the humanitarian situation. Humanitarian access is limited owing to restrictions put in place by the COVID-19 High-Level Task Force, as well as persistent inter- communal violence particularly in Jonglei, Warrap, Unity and Lakes States. According to UNMISS, January to May 2020 has been the most violent period since the signing of the R- ARCSS with 415 violent incidents recorded, up from 129 during the same period in 2018. Furthermore, according to the International Organisation for Migration, during the period January to April 2020, a total of 80,000 persons were displaced due to inter-communal violence, compared to 85,000 displaced during the entire year of 2019. It is important to point out that within this scenario, the rights of women and girls were also violated. UNMISS records show that between January and March this year, at least 1,767 civilians were either killed, injured, abducted, or suffered sexual violence compared to 912 between the same period in 2019 with the majority of casualties arising from inter-communal violence.

26. The May 2020 killing of three humanitarian workers in Uror, Jonglei during inter-communal violence has brought the total number of humanitarian workers killed to four in 2020, which is a very sad situation. In general, there is an urgent need to remove conflict driven and bureaucratic constraints to humanitarian action and service delivery to ensure the flow and access of humanitarian goods and personnel to those in need.

27. The food security situation continues to look grim with 7 million people in South Sudan acutely food insecure. The situation is compounded by the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and flooding on livelihoods. In Bor, flash floods have already affected 54,000 people who now need humanitarian assistance. Whereas the number of spontaneous returnees has reduced due to travel restrictions instituted to curb the spread of the COVID- 19 pandemic, a growing concern is violence and criminality. Violent incidents in the Bentiu and Juba PoCs resulted in 178 injuries and the suspension of humanitarian operations to the sites.

28. The economic situation. It is inevitable that measures to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic through increased social distancing, has had high costs in South Sudan just as in other countries in terms of increased prices and contraction of economic activity. Reduced purchasing power is one of the factors contributing to food insecurity. Constraints on border crossings also reduce the supply of goods and create price pressures. The strongest direct impact comes through the need for resources and medical personnel to an underdeveloped health sector.

29. The strong decline in oil prices after the worldwide lockdown to contain the outbreak of COVID-19, is sharply reducing oil revenues available for financing the government budget. Net revenues per barrel of oil – that is, revenues after fee transfers to Sudan per barrel – have been in the range of USD 5-20 since early March, down from around USD 40 earlier this year. The negative developments in the oil price is expected to severely constrain the government’s ability to finance service delivery at present levels through revenues, let alonefinance measures to mitigate impacts of COVID-19, and to take on financial obligations related to implementation of the R-ARCSS. Lastly on the economy, I would like to commendthe Government’s establishment of the Public Financial Management (PFM) OversightCommittee, which met for the first time earlier this month. This helps to prioritise the implementation of PFM institutional reforms as set out in Chapter 4 of the Agreement.

30. Now for a word on transitional justice. Following the formation of the RTGoNU, Chapter 5 on Transitional Justice, Accountability, Reconciliation and Healing is now very important. Three mechanisms are to be formed in the Transitional Period. They are the Commission on Truth, Healing and Reconciliation (CTRH), the Hybrid Court for South Sudan (HCSS) and the Compensation and Reparation Authority (CRA). These three mechanisms will also clearly have their mandates, jurisdictions, memberships and funding clearly defined by legislation. These legislations should be initiated through an open and transparent process where public participation is encouraged to help improve their content and legitimacy.

6. The RTGoNU to resolve the issue of political appointments, in particular that of the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Petroleum, as well as rectification of the alterations in the Constitutional Amendment Act No. 6, 2020 and full adherence to the required levels of women representation in the RTGoNU. In addition, facilitate the DDR Commission to enable it to kick-start the DDR process for former combatants;

7. The leadership of the Agreement Parties to resolve all outstanding issues without delay, including the reconstitution of the Transitional National Legislature; and

8. I appeal to the RTGoNU to institute programmes for relief, protection, repatriation, resettlement and reintegration of IDPs, as well as the provision of public services like health and education to ensure sustained and dignified returns. Furthermore, the establishment of the Special Reconstruction Fund, as per Article 3.2 of the Agreement.

Thank you.

• Your Excellency, Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers

• -  Excellencies, Members of the Council

• -  Your Excellency, IGAD Executive Secretary

• -  Your Excellency, IGAD Special Envoy to South Sudan

• -  Honourable Ministers,

• -  Excellencies,

• -  Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. It is an honour to present to the Council my report on the status of implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS). This report builds on the briefing I made to the members of the 70thExtraordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers held on 8th February 2020 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

2. My report highlights the prevailing political, security, humanitarian and economic situation in South Sudan as well as the status of the implementation of the R-ARCSS and concludes with recommendations.

   Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

3. The Council may recall that in my last briefing, I informed of the outstanding Pre- Transitional tasks critical for laying a firm foundation for the formation of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU). These included, among others, the resolution of the number of States and their boundaries; allocation of ministerial and deputy ministerial portfolios to the Parties to the Agreement; ratification of and assent to the Constitutional Amendment Bill (No. 6) 2020; restructuring and reconstitution of the Transitional National Legislature (i.e. the Transitional National Legislative Assembly and the Council of States); and selection, screening, training and redeployment of the Necessary Unified Forces (NUF).

4. On the issue of the number of States, this matter was resolved when President Salva Kiir Mayardit returned the country to ten (10) States and communicated this formally to the Chairperson of IGAD. While announcing this critical decision on 15th February 2020, President Salva Kiir Mayardit also named three administrative areas in the Republic of South Sudan as Abyei Administrative Area (AAA), Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) and Ruweng Administrative Area (RAA).

5. In addition, the President assented to the Constitutional Amendment Bill (No. 6) 2020 on 19th February 2020. The RTGoNU was established on 22nd February 2020 with the swearing in of the First Vice President and the Four Vice Presidents.

6. On 12th March 2020, the President appointed the members of the Council of Ministers and Deputy Ministers of the RTGoNU. However, the Parties did not adhere to the 35% mandatory provision for women participation in the Executive as these appointments stood at only 26% and 10% respectively. I have urged that the Incumbent TGoNU and SPLM/A-IO rectify this violation in line with articles 1.12.2 and 1.12.5 of the R-ARCSS, and all the Parties adhere to the 35% provision in their future nominations.

7. The Council will appreciate that the formation of the RTGoNU and its Council ofMinisters are significant steps towards full establishment of the RTGoNU’s structure andcomposition. It is, however, regrettable that delays have persisted in the restructuring and reconstitution of the TNLA and the Council of States, and agreement between the Parties on the responsibility sharing at the State and Local Government levels.

8. The Parties to the R-ARCSS have tried to address the issue of responsibility sharing at the State and Local Government levels in recent weeks, including the three Administrative Areas, through inter-party consultations. Unfortunately, they have failed to agree on the way forward. Consequently, Dr Riek Machar Teny, First Vice President and Chairperson of the SPLM/A-IO, sought my intervention to assist the Parties break the deadlock, in line with article 7.11 of the R-ARCSS.

9. I convened a consultative meeting of the representatives of the Parties to the R-ARCSS on 27th March 2020 in an attempt to break the deadlock on responsibility sharing at the State and Local Government levels. The Parties, however, failed to agree on the way forward. I have also continued to engage with the top leadership of the Agreement Parties in a bid to find a solution. I made a proposal to the Agreement Parties as per article 1.16.1 of the R-ARCSS, but to date, there is still no positive outcome on this matter to report to the Council.

   Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen

10. On the legislative reforms as provided for in the R-ARCSS, the NCAC has continued to work on the review and amendments of the economic and financial sector laws in order to strengthen fiscal responsibility, accountability and control in the management of public funds. The laws under review include the Public Financial Management and Accountability Act, 2011 and the National Audit Chamber Act, 2011. The Committee has received and reviewed submissions to both laws from the key institutions, and the process is at an advanced stage. The reviews of the Petroleum Revenue Management Act 2012 and the Petroleum Act, 2012 have also begun.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

14. Concerning the general security situation in the country, the Permanent Ceasefire has continued to hold due to the Agreement Parties adhering to the provisions of the R- ARCSS. Fighting in Maiwut between the SPLA-IO forces allied to SSPDF and the SPLA- IO forces allied to Dr Riek Machar was resolved through a Reconciliation Committee agreement on 11th February 2020. However, there are concerns that the same parties to the conflict renewed clashes in Maiwut and Jakou areas in early April. Furthermore, there are reports of new abductions in some parts of the Equatorias despite signing of the Rome Declaration.

15. There are also concerns of reports of intermittent violent inter-communal clashes in several States and the Abyei Administrative Area. This violence is partly attributed to the leadership vacuum as a result of delays in the appointment of Governors in the respective States.

16. On the status of implementation of the Transitional Security Arrangements, there are about 78,500 security personnel currently registered at the various cantonment sites, barracks and training centres. According to CTSAMVM reports, about 35,000 combatants still remain in cantonment sites and about 45,500 personnel, with 3,612 being women, are in various training centres. Screening and training of the NUF and the VIP Protection Forces are yet to be completed.

17. There are various challenges reported at cantonment sites and training centres. These include: insufficient food supply; lack of medicines; poor sanitary conditions; and lack of separate facilities and dignity kits for female trainees and dependents at the centres. The recent announcement by the RTGoNU of the establishment of a Transitional Committee for Coordination of the Implementation of Security Arrangements is a positive indication that the RTGoNU will focus on and complete the pending security tasks. Despite the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and its challenges, training of NUF continues albeit with restricted access to the training centres.

18. The Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) Commission is undertaking an assessment of the ex-combatants currently being screened out from the training process, and has registered about 14 000. The Commission has also conducted regional visits and discussed the establishment of 8 DDR transit sites across the country with respective local authorities. The Commission has also completed the drafting of a revised DDR Strategic Plan and Programme. However, the DDR Commission continues to face various challenges, including lack of funding and inadequate coordination with other Transitional Security Institutions and Mechanisms.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

2. urge the RTGoNU to rectify the alterations made to the Constitutional Amendment Bill (No.6) 2020;

3. encourage the Agreement Parties to address the shortfall of the 35% provision for women participation in the Executive of the RTGoNU;

4. prevail on the Agreement Parties to amicably and expeditiously resolve the deadlock on responsibility sharing at the State and Local Government levels;

5. appeal to all Agreement Parties to adhere to the timelines of implementation of activities of the Transitional Period;

6. urge the Agreement Parties who have not yet submitted their lists of nominees for the TNLA to the NCAC to do so without further delay;

7. appeal to the Regional Guarantors, International Partners and Friends of South Sudan to provide the requisite support for the implementation of the R-ARCSS;

8. encourage the Presidency to enhance collegial collaboration and continuous consultations;

9. urge the RTGoNU to put in place progammes for the voluntary, safe and dignified return and resettlement of displaced persons and refugees; and

10. continue to adhere to the IGAD Declaration on the COVID-19 Pandemic in order to mitigate the threat posed to the population.

26. Finally, I wish to reassure the Council that the RJMEC remains fully committed to discharge its mandate in the face of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

I thank you.