R-JMEC chief warns lack of progress in peace implementation ‘detrimental’ to lasting peace

JUBA –  The interim chairperson of South Sudan’s peace monitoring body, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC), Charles Tai Gituai, has warned that continued delay in the implementation of the 2018 revitalized agreement is detrimental to last peace in the world’s youngest country.

Parties have stuck in the first chapter of the revitalized peace agreement which deals with matters of governance and most of the provisions of the deal including the security arrangements, which is the most important part of the whole agreement, has not yet been implemented with parties promising each time that the unified forces would be graduated soon only not to avail.

Speaking during the 16th R-JMEC monthly meeting in Juba on Thursday General Gituai said no progress has been made in the graduation and deployment of the necessary unified forces saying the continued delay poses threat to lasting peace and stability in the war-torn county.

“I warned that prolonged delays and passing of time without progress is detrimental to lasting peace in South Sudan,” General Gituai, a retired Kenyan commander told the participants.

The peace monitoring chief said the full implementation of the transitional security arrangements  is intended to strengthen a stable and secure future for the people of South Sudan, but the slow pace of implementation raises concerns.

“It was disheartening to observe that a lack of food and other essential resources, such as medicines, shelter, and separate facilities for women, has led to the suffering of the trainees, and to some trainees abandoning the training centers.” he said.

Gituai further raised concerns about the insufficient women’s representation as required in the agreement, urging the Parties to expedite the appointment of all personnel to the government structures at the sub-national level, while observing the 35% level for women’s representation.

“I urge  continued focus on the investigation, arrest, prosecution, and sentencing of perpetrators of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) crimes, as well as continued training and sensitization on SGBV issues within the Organized Forces,” he said.

The Chairperson called on the Incumbent Transitional Government of National Unity, SPLM/A-IO, South Sudan Opposition Alliance and Other Political Parties to submit their nominations to National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC).

“This is in order to facilitate the reconstitution of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) and the Council of States, while observing the 35% level for women’s representation,” said Tai