Pope Francis’ visit indicates world’s desire for peace in South Sudan, Gituai tells politicians  

JUBA, JANUARY 27^th 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The Chairperson of Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC) Gen. Charles Tai Gituai on Thursday called on the political leaders in South Sudan to bring peace to the peace, saying the upcoming visit on February 3^rd by Pope Francis indicates world’s desire for peace.

Speaking during the 26^th meeting of the peace monitoring body on Thursday, Gituai called on the leaders and people of South Sudan to forgive and open a new page in their history as a nation, stressing that the visit to the country by the head of the Catholic Church means the world wants peace in the country.

“The imminent Ecumenical Peace Pilgrimage to Juba of the three religious leaders, led by His Holiness, Pope Francis, is an indicator of the world’s desire for lasting peace in South Sudan,” he told members of the peace-monitoring body.

“I hope the RTGoNU and the people of South Sudan will find inspiration and a spirit of forgiveness in these visits in order to renew public confidence in the peace process by rebuilding trust and showing unity of purpose, and demonstrate genuine political will through joint actions and messaging for peace,” he added.

The retired Kenyan general it is “very concerning to note that over the holiday period, numerous armed clashes have taken place, cumulatively costing hundreds of lives and displacing thousands of civilians, in particular in Upper Nile State and in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.

“For all intents and purposes, there is a very serious picture of escalating violence, negatively impacting the environment in which the R-ARCSS (Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan) is being implemented,” he said.

He further noted that six bills were assented to by the President of the Republic of South Sudan in December, including the Constitution-making Process Bill 2022. However, he raised a concern that their operationalisation needs to be further advanced.

“By now, there are critical institutions which should have been reconstituted to pave the way for the implementation of key aspects of the Agreement,” he said.

“For instance, the Political Parties Council which is central for the registration of political parties, and there is also the National Constitutional Review Commission which is tasked with spearheading the constitution-making process,” he added.