The meeting was attended by representatives of the Transitional Government on National Unity (TGoNU), the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA), the SPLA in Opposition, the Former Detainees, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) as well as Regional and International Partners.

The workshop aimed to address the issues concerning the transitional security arrangements for the city of Juba highlighted in the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSC) 2304 paragraph 3. The opening address was delivered by the Deputy Chairperson of the JMEC, Ambassador Lt. Gen. Njoroge on behalf of the JMEC Chairperson H.E. Festus G. Mogae.

Issues under discussion included determining the maximum number and type of armaments of the national security forces who will remain in the city of Juba and also the identification of locations for redeployment of forces outside of Juba. The workshop also undertook a review the progress of the Joint Military Ceasefire Commission (JMCC), CTSAMM, the Joint Operations Centre (JOC), the Joint Integrated Police (JIP), the Strategic Defence and Security Review Board (SDSR) as well reviewing the plans for cantonment and reunification of forces and also developed a revised proposal in relation to these issues.

The workshop also identified the activities that have to be undertaken to ensure the smooth implementation of the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements (PCTSA) as outlined in the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS). Presentations were made by the Chairperson of the JMCC, CTSAMM and UNMISS. The UNMISS presentation dealt in detail on the cooperation needed to achieve the UNSC resolution 2304. CTSAMM gave an overview on the status of its mission and their current locations throughout the country. They also identified the challenges they face in discharging their mandate and presented their plan for the future indicating where adjustments to operations are required.  The JMCC gave a detailed proposal on the adjustments needed for the Juba security arrangements while also detailing their plan for cantonment, demobilization and reunification of forces. The JMEC, as the facilitators of the workshop, presented a review on the status of implementation of the peace agreement, its mechanisms and an assessment of future tasks and responsibilities as well as a timeline in which certain tasks should be achieved.

In closing the Deputy Chairperson underlined the importance of cooperation amongst the parties and stressed the need for the leaders of the country to act in the interest of the people and pursue peace; “The future of a stable, peaceful, prosperous South Sudan lies in the hands of its people, and you comrades gathered here today occupy a very strategic position, with responsibility to make this happen”.