R-JMEC chief ‘disappointed’ by stalled implementation of security arrangements

JUBA – A South Sudan peace monitoring body on Thursday expressed deep disappointment over slow progress in the implementation of the security arrangement, one of critical tasks in 2018 peace deal.

Speaking during regular monthly meeting in Juba on Thursday, Chairperson for Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said with just 12 months left of the transitional period to end, it is disappointing to see critical tasks of the revitalized peace agreement remain unimplemented.

“There is now just 12 months left of the Transitional Period and elections are due to take place 60 days before it ends and yet key unimplemented tasks are outstanding,” Gen. Gituai said at RJMEC regular monthly meeting in Juba on Thursday.

The retired Kenyan army commander who had served in several peace mission urged government of national unity to make financial resources available to complete the graduation of necessary unified forces to task to take charge of security during elections.

“Delay in the implementation of security arrangement is significant factor in the occurrence of defections. I therefore, urge the RTGoUN to expedite the performance of all the transitional security arrangement, especially the graduation and unification of forces,” Gituai said.

South Sudan Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Dr. Martin Elias Lomoro attributed the delay to graduate the unified forces to lack of funding.

“The biggest challenge that has confronted the agreement is lack of funding. It is clear from the beginning that South Sudan is solid funder the revitalized peace agreement,” Lomoro said at regular RJMEC meeting on Thursday.

According to the revitalized peace agreement, the parties to the peace deal shall compose of 83,000 strong men drown from rival forces to provide protection to VIP, and important towns such as capital Juba and the ten states capitals.

The security arrangement should have been completed before the establishment of the Reconstituted Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoUN) but lack of will and resources-as government claims-has prevented the graduation of the forces.