Kiir, Machar have 1 month to resolve pending tasks – IGAD

JUBA – South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir Mayardit, and his first deputy, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, have been given an ultimatum of one month by the regional bloc, IGAD, to resolve pending pre-transitional tasks.

In a meeting held under the auspices of the IGAD in Uganda in November 2019, President Kiir and SPLM-IO leader Dr. Riek Machar agreed to extend the pre-transitional period for 100 days and to allow critical tasks to be completed. Also, they decided to form a mechanism including the guarantors and parties to supervise the implementation of the agreement.

Accordingly, in February 2020, Kiir formed the government as provided in the agreement but the parties failed to implement the security arrangements, a key element for the transition.

Funding

In a meeting held on 14 July via videoconference and attended by Kiir, the IGAD leaders urged the South Sudan government to provide the necessary funding and logistical support to expedite the implementation of the security arrangement.

Further, they requested the government to provide financial support to the Disarmament and Demobilization Commission (DDRC) to undertake a comprehensive reintegration process.

Furthermore, they “Resolved that in the event that the Parties are not able to settle outstanding pre-transitional tasks within 30 days of the adoption of this Communiqué, that is on or before 13th August 2020, the IGAD Chair will intervene to directly engage with Parties with a view to assist in concluding the pending matters,” stressed the statement released on 16 July.

International support

Salva Kiir Mayardit’s government has called for international support to implement the costly security arrangements. But the donors, the U.S. particularly said that the South Sudanese government has to cover alone all the fees of the process.

The regional body also appealed to President Kiir to dissolve the current TNLA before 26th July peace agreement within seven days of the dissolution of the incumbent legislative assembly.

New R-JMEC Chair

The meeting – attended by Kiir – approved the appointment of Maj. Gen. (Rtd.) Charles Tai Gituai as the new interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission replacing the outgoing interim Chairperson of R-JMEC, Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Augostino Njoroge.

Also, they agreed to hold further consultations regarding the appointment of a chair to R-JMEC.

On Monday 13 July, the Security Council urged the IGAD to appoint a permanent Chairperson for the R-JMEC to support the implementation of the revitalized peace pact.

The Council in addition “underscored the need for continued and active engagement on South Sudan by the region and the international community”.