Honourable Ministers,

Excellencies;

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Good morning. 

1. It is my pleasure to be with you this morning at this very important workshop. As all of you now know that the Pre-Transitional period has been extended by 100 days, and the clock began ticking last week. The Resolutions of the Ministerial Consultation of the Agreement Parties on 9th November and the 69th Extraordinary Session of IGAD Council of Ministers on 10th November designated this workshop as an essential step towards rectifying repeated failures in the implementation of the critical Pre-Transitional tasks. I am pleased to note that this workshop has been organized quickly, and I thank all those involved in its preparation.

2. Put simply, we have reached this point because not enough has been done to implement the pending Pre-Transitional tasks in order to establish the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) on a solid foundation. While this is an unfortunate situation, we all understand that without funds, not much can be implemented. The timely and predictable flow of funds is paramount. RJMEC has consistently called for the release of funds and continue to urge the ITGoNU to immediately release the requisite funding, in the understanding that one day without funding is a day lost.

3. Also on the theme of funding, I would like to draw attention to Agreement Article 1.4.8. This article calls for a fund for the Pre-Transitional activities to be established which is to be managed transparently by the NPTC, and which reports monthly to the President of the Republic of South Sudan and to the Parties. Past experience of funding difficulties and inadequacy shows why this is a good idea, and I urge that the fund be established to manage funds transparently for the duration of the extension. This will bring credibility to the process and will encourage international partners, friends and donors to contribute to the fund. I also appeal to the NPTC to prioritise available funds to the operations of the mechanisms. 

4. This workshop is a good opportunity for the mechanisms, in the spirit of openness and transparency, to indicate how they have used the money that they have already received. Additionally, doing so will enable us to understand how much money the NPTC has disbursed, so that likewise it can be held to account. The NPTC should open exclusive accounts for each mechanism and deposit amount commensurate to operations of the specific Pre-Transitional tasks to be implemented.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

5. This workshop is primarily a working session designed for each mechanism to set out priorities, critical tasks, milestones and rolling cost estimates for the duration of the extension. Each of the mechanisms must use these two days to complete their workplan and get themselves into a state of readiness to implement the critical pending Pre-Transitional tasks.  This involves clear strategic thinking, prioritization of activities, plans for concurrent implementation, and coordination with the other mechanisms. I wish to also welcome the participation of the DDR Commission, and I hope that its crucial role in the implementation of the cantonment and DDR process will be fully appreciated by all and funded accordingly.

6. In view of the above my recommendations for the NPTC and the Security Mechanisms during the 100 days extension are as follows:

1. a) Each mechanism should adhere strictly to the activities and timeframe as set out in the respective workplans;
2. b) Each mechanism should have the highest regard for cost effectiveness and transparency;
3. c) The NPTC should establish dedicated budget lines for each mechanism, and set up an account for each, which would promote accountability and transparency according to the letter and spirit of Article 1.4.8;
4. d) Each mechanism should account for the funds it has received to date; 
5. e) Each mechanism should establish and commit to an effective and realistic system of coordination between all the various mechanisms to avoid duplication of effort and ensure effective and efficient utilisation of resources; and  
6. f) Each mechanism should develop a standardised and regular reporting system so that progress can be clearly evaluated against benchmarks.

7. In closing, I would like to say that the workplans that you will set out over the next two days can work if the political will of the Parties is brought to bear, and it is my hope that renewed impetus in implementation over the 100 days extension will lead to increased trust and confidence. Finally, let me remind all of us that Unification of all Forces is a requirement of the Agreement (Article 2.2.1) and must not only be acceptable to all the Agreement Parties but the Parties must put all their efforts to see to its success. 

8. I wish you a fruitful two days’ workshop.

I thank you.

HonourableMinisters, 

Excellencies, 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning.

1.  I welcome all of you to the 10thRJMEC meeting.  This meeting is important because the extended Pre-Transitional Period is due to end in less than four weeks. Ideally, at this stage we should all be excited with the real prospect of the R-TGoNU being formed, but unfortunately, we still have a lot of work to do in the days ahead to cross this bridge. I will revert to this matter later on in my statement.

2.  My statement today will highlight only the most recent progress made in the implementation of the activities of the Pre-Transitional period, but will particularly focus on the critical outstanding tasks necessary for the timely and smooth formation of the RTGoNU, and I will conclude with some recommendations on the way forward.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

3.   Since our last meeting held in September, some progress has been made in the cantonment of forces. Out of the 25 designated cantonment sites for the opposition and 10 barracks for government forces, 24 cantonment sites and 6 barracks are operational. The total number of troops registered continuesto increase, and I expect to hear the latest details from the Security Mechanisms. I commend the Security Mechanisms for the significant progress made in registration. I note, however, that registration is just a first step. What follows is screening, selection, training and deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces. I therefore urge the remaining process to be expedited and to be undertaken concurrently to catch up with lost time.

4.   As you will recall, the IGAD Council of Ministers had required that at least half of the 83,000 Necessary Unified Forces “be cantoned and barracked, trained and deployed before the end of September 2019”. Unfortunately, this deadline was not met. I am, however, encouraged to hear that about 1,500 trainers are ready to begin their work. I appeal to the Security Mechanisms to expedite the selection of the forces for immediate training. In addition, I urge the DDR Commission to begin their work in the cantonment sites and barracks. I await an update from the JTSC on the plan for commencement of the training of forces. 

5.   On Tuesday 15 October, I briefed the AU Peace and Security Council and also the Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers on the status of the pending Pre-Transitional tasks. In my message to both the Council and the Chairperson, I observed that it is unlikely that the 83,000 Necessary Unified Forces will be trained and deployed by the deadline of 12thNovember 2019.   

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,  

6.  In addition to the training and deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces, there are a number of other critical tasks vital to the formation of the RTGoNU. These include the following: 

a.     resolution of the number and boundaries of the States;

b.     enactment of the Constitutional Amendment Bill and the other Bills;

c.      agreement on allocation of ministerial portfolios; 

d.     submission by the Parties of their nominees for the TNLA to the NCAC; and 

e.     complete demilitarization of civilian centres.

7.  These tasks can be expedited and resolved by the leadership of the Parties before the November 12thdeadline. In my consultations with the Parties yesterday, they tentatively agreed to hold a meeting this Saturday to address some of the outstanding issues.    

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

8.  Overall, the RJMEC Secretariat’s assessment is that of the 63 identified Pre-Transitional tasks, 31 tasks have been completed, 22 are ongoing, and 10 are still pending. The updated assessment matrix has been shared with all of you. 

9.  Indeed, the full implementation of the Pre-Transitional tasks was intended to lay a firm foundation for the effective implementation of the Agreement and for the Parties to demonstrate their commitment to implement the Agreement in letter and spirit. The tasks were also informed by the bitter experiences of forming a government without the legal and security foundation during the 2015 Peace Agreement. 

10.  As I told the AU PSC and Chairperson IGAD Council of Ministers on Tuesday, there is no doubt that the Revitalized Peace Agreement has yielded dividends in the Republic of South Sudan. Since the signing of the Agreement, the Permanent Ceasefire has held and there is an overall improvement in the security and humanitarian situation across the country. According to UNMISS, close to 600,000 people have returned to their homes. These are gains that must be consolidated by ensuring that there is a firm foundation upon which the RTGoNU is established.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

11.       In view of the above, I would like to make the following recommendations:

a.        the Incumbent TGoNU should, as a matter of urgency, availmore andadequate resources to the NPTCtofacilitate ongoing cantonment, concurrent training and deployment of forces;

b.        the Parties should meet and resolve the outstanding issue of the number and boundaries of States without further delay;

c.         the leadership of the Parties should meet very soon and agree on what options are available come the 12thNovember deadline; 

d.        the regional and international partners and friends of South Sudan should enhance their financial, political and in-kind support to the full implementation of the R-ARCSS.

12.       In conclusion, I would like to reiterate that the gains of the last 13 months must be consolidated, and I call upon the RJMEC members to pronounce themselves and provide guidance on the best way forward.   

13.       I wishyou fruitful deliberations.

I thank you.

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has on Thursday highlighted critical pre-transitional tasks ahead of the November 12thdeadline. 

Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Release)

Thursday, October 17, 2019, Juba, South Sudan

RJMEC CONVENES 1Oth PLENARY MEETING, HIGHLIGHTS CRITICAL OUTSTANDING ORE-TRANSITIONAL TASKS AHEAD OF November 12thDEADLINE

The 10thMonthly Plenary Meeting of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) was held on Thursday 17thOctober in Juba, South Sudan.

Speaking during the opening of the meeting that brought together Parties to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and other stakeholders, RJMEC Interim Chairperson Ambassador Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge said:

“This meeting is important because the extended Pre-Transitional Period is due to end in less than four weeks. Ideally, at this stage we should all be excited with the real prospect of the RTGoNU (Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity) being formed, but unfortunately, we still have a lot of work to do in the days ahead to cross this bridge."

n his statement to the RJMEC members, the Interim Chairperson highlighted progress made in the cantonment of forces. 

“Out of the 25 designated cantonment sites for the opposition and 10 barracks for government forces, 24 cantonment sites and 6 barracks are operational,” he said. 

However, he stressed the need to fastrack the registration and screening in the remaining sites particularly components of the police and the national security. 

Ambassador Njoroge went on to highlight other critical pending tasks vital to the formation of the RTGoNU. These include the resolution of the number and boundaries of the States, enactment of the Constitutional Amendment Bill and the other Bills, and agreement on allocation of ministerial portfolios.  Others are the submission by the Parties of their nominees for the TNLA (Transitional National Legislative Assembly) to the NCAC (National Constitutional Amendment Committee) and the complete demilitarization of civilian centers.

In his conclusion, the RJMEC Interim Chairperson made the following recommendations:

a.    The Incumbent TGoNU should, as a matter of urgency, availmore andadequate resources to the NPTCtofacilitate on-going cantonment, concurrent training and deployment of forces;

b.   The Parties should meet and resolve the outstanding issue of the number and boundaries of States without further delay;

c.    The leadership of the Parties should meet very soon and agree on what options are available come the 12thNovember deadline and 

d.   The regional and international partners and friends of South Sudan should enhance their financial, political and in-kind support to the full implementation of the R-ARCSS.

 ENDS

The Interim Chairperson H.E Ambassador Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge has on Sunday held a meeting with the President of the Republic of South Sudan H.E Salva Kiir. 

Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Release)

Thursday, October 03, 2019, Juba, South Sudan

RJMEC supports R-ARCSS dissemination training for S. Sudan teachers 

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation (RJMEC) in collaboration with Hold the Child Organization have convened a two-day workshop aimed at orientating primary and secondary school teachers on the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).  

While officially opening the workshop in Juba on Thursday, RJMEC Deputy of Staff in charge of Strategy, Dr. Thomson Fontaine, said that the revitalized Agreement provides an opportunity for the country to emerge from years of war. 

“It is encouraging to see that since the signing of the Agreement in September 2018, though the progress is slow, the permanent ceasefire has held across the country and strides made in its implementation,” he added. 

The workshop under the theme ‘The peace we have, the peace we share’ brought together 90 teachers representing different schools in South Sudan.  

Dr. Fontaine said RJMEC will continue to encourage the South Sudanese political actors with the support of the region and the international community, to put an end to the conflict and lay the foundation for peace in the Republic of South Sudan.

While encouraging the teachers to play a part in contributing towards sustainable peace in the country, Dr. Fontaine said: 

“Your privileged position as teachers and mentors of the future generation, gives you the power to disseminate the objective of the peace Agreement and to rally behind the whole South Sudanese society to support the Agreement.”

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation (RJMEC) in collaboration with Hold the Child Organization have convened a two-day workshop aimed at orientating primary and secondary school teachers on the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).  

Communication Office

PRESS STATEMENT

(For Immediate Release)

 Friday, September 26,2019, Nairobi, Kenya

The Interim Chairperson of RJMEC, Amb. Lt. Gen. Augustino S.K. Njoroge (Rtd) presented a paper on “Integrating South Sudan in the East African Community” at the High-Level Conference on Trade Integration 2019 held from 25 – 27 September 2019 at Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya. This Conference was convened by the Secretariat of the EAC on the theme: Enhancing trade integration in the East African Community. 

In his presentation, the Interim Chairperson demonstrated how the South Sudan peace process is a critical ingredient for her successful and effective political integration in the EAC. He argues that post-conflict stabilization, including all necessary reforms that would result in independent, accountable and strong institutions of governance in South Sudan are crucial for effective and holistic integration in the EAC.

The Interim Chairperson further stated that Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) provides an opportunity for facilitating effective integration of a peaceful, democratic and prosperous South Sudan in the EAC. He adds, “the R-ARCSS offers a broad framework to achieve the aspiration for stabilization of the country through a series of comprehensive political, security, humanitarian, economic and constitutional reforms”.

The Interim Chairperson concluded that the integration of South Sudan in the EAC should be expedited and not wait for the end of the transitional period. 

Finally, the Interim Chairperson recommended that the EAC should engage more with South Sudan and give her special considerations in view of her current post-conflict status, and also appealed to the EAC member states to support their South Sudan counterpart to fully implement the Revitalized Peace Agreement.     -–Ends--

The National Constitutional Affairs Committee (NCAC) has on Thursday handed over the National Fire Brigade ServiceBill, 2019 to the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs. 

While noting some progress has been made on the operationalization of cantonment sites, time is running out for the cantonment, selection and training of the 50% of the 83,000 Necessary Unified Force (NUF) to be completed by September 30, 2019, RJMEC Interim Chairperson has said.