Watchdog concerned over delay in formation of peace parliament

JUBA – A local civil society watchdog in South Sudan is saying that it is concerned over the delay – by the parties to the revitalized peace agreement – to form the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly provided for in the revitalized peace agreement.

The Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), a Juba-based civil society organization, said in a statement extended to Sudans Post that the delay in the formation of the revitalized transitional parliament is a sign of concern in the implementation of the peace agreement.

“It is now going to one year and half since the Transitional Period began on February 22, 2020. Up to now, the full government is not in place which is a matter of concerns for us as member of Civil Society Organizations. The Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) is thus highly concerned about the unwarranted delay of the reconstitution of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (R-TNLA) by the Parties to the Revitalized Agreement,” the CPA statement reads in part.

“The delay of R-TNLA is a worrying and disturbing sign that all is not well, which is something raising our eyebrows and doubts about the seriousness of the parties to the Revitalized Agreement to bring everlasting and sustainable peace, security and development in the country,” It added.

The group said the delay in the formation of the peace parliament is affecting the country’s citizens in different ways including in the economic aspect in light of the failing economic status of the country pointing to the fact that the country has been operated without a budget since last year.

“Delaying the formation of the Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) is a bad as it has already had very serious consequences on the lives of the citizens in terms of failing economy, grave communal violence that has so far taken thousands of lives across the country,” it said.

“The delay in reconstituting the R-TNLA N has affected the budget of the Country as the country is now operating without the budget for the whole year. The Parties have failed to pass the budget for physical year 2021/ 22 due to the absence of the Parliament (R-TNLA) in the country,” the statement added.

It further urged the parties to the peace agreement to “speed up the process” and said failure to do so in time “will push us and other members of Civil Society Organizations to renew our appeals to the IGAD, AU, EU and the UN Security Council to take appropriate actions against those individuals who are sabotaging the full implementation of the Revitalized Agreement.”