R-JMEC chief urges parliament to enact pending bills

JUBA – The chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC), Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gitua, has called on the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) to expedite the enactment of several pending bills.

These include the NGO bill, the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing (CTRH) bill, the Compensation and Reparation Authority bill, the National Audit Chambers Act 2012 (Amendment) bill 2022, and the Tourism Bill 2024.

Gitua said during his quarterly report on the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) that these bills are crucial for national stability, governance, economic development, and social cohesion.

“RJMEC noted that the drafted bills on the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing (CTRH) and the Compensation and Reparation Authority are before the August House for enactment,” Gitua told parliament yesterday.

He urged lawmakers to swiftly pass the NGO bill, arguing that it will create a better environment for humanitarian workers and NGOs, particularly as the humanitarian situation is expected to worsen due to the Sudan conflict and climate change.

“The passing of the NGO Act 2016 (Amendment) Bill 2024 by this August House and subsequent operationalization is expected to play a critical role in creating a more conducive working environment for NGOs in South Sudan, thus improving access to those in need,” Gitua said.

The R-JMEC chief also called on the TNLA to support the constitution and election processes by approving necessary supplementary spending and budget bills.