Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Thursday, 23 May 2024

WITH SEVEN MONTHS REMAINING, NO EVIDENCE OF SUFFICIENT PREPARATION FOR CREDIBLE ELECTIONS IN SOUTH SUDAN

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has on Thursday, May 23 2024, convened its 35th monthly meeting in Juba.

Speaking at the opening of the meeting, RJMEC Interim Chairperson, Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said itis concerning that “barely seven months to the elections, there is still no evidence of sufficient preparation for the conduct of elections and implementation of critical election-related tasks.”

In his assessment of the Revitalised Peace Agreement, Amb. Gituai said these critical tasks, among others, include the full operationalisation and funding of the Political Parties Council (PPC), the National Elections Commission (NEC), and the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC), completion of Phase I and Phase II unification of forces, and making of a permanent constitution to guide the conduct of elections.

In addition, he said, the conduct by the NEC of elections-related such as establishment of subsidiary electoral management bodies at the state level, the establishment of procedures for the voter registry and registration, and support to civic education and voter outreach, the publication of the voters register six months prior to the holding of elections, are also pending. 

He further stated that other pending tasks to be completed, include judicial reform process, review of the judiciary Act and establishment of the Constitutional Court and the enactment of the revised National Security Service Act (Amendment) Bill 2023 to, among others, create an enabling civic and political space for citizens’ participation in governance. 

As such, he said, it is important that the inter-party dialogue be expedited to provide clarity on the way forward.  

“This would help the South Sudanese to prepare sufficiently and enable timely mobilisation of resources by the regional and international community to support the process,” he said. 

Additionally, Amb. Gituai raised concerns on continued inter-communal violence in different parts of the country, such as in Tambura, Twic, and parts of Abyei region, saying:  “This underlines the critical importance of full unification of all forces and their redeployment to provide security in all parts of the country,” he said. 

In his recommendation, the Interim Chairperson asked the Transitional Government and the Parties todialogue in a collegial manner, build consensus, provide regular updates and a way forward on elections and complete the deployment of the unified forces and commence Phase II without further delay. 

In his conclusion, he said: “Overall, it is important to underline that four years into the Transitional Period, relative progress has been made in the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement. All efforts should therefore be made to consolidate the peace gains, and lay a firm foundation for lasting peace, development and prosperity for the people of South Sudan.

ENDS

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

   Thursday, 21 March 2024, Juba, South Sudan

URGENT DIALOGUE THE WAY FORWARD TO ADDRESS THE CURRENT POLITICAL SITUATION IN SOUTH SUDAN 

With the end of the extended transitional period fast approaching, a number of critical tasks remain unimplemented, and critical bodies, such as the Political Parties Council (PPC), the National Elections Commission (NEC) and the National Constitutional Review Commission(NCRC), remain unfunded with no clear timelines on the way forward. 

With elections as scheduled are barely nine months away, the Republic of South Sudan therefore needs clarity from the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) on how it is planning to expedite and complete the critical pending tasks necessary to conduct free, fair and credible elections in December 2024. 

In RJMEC's engagements with all key stakeholders and institutions and mechanisms of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), it is evident that there is a need for clear and actionable political guidance from the Executive of the RTGoNU and the Parties to the Agreement, without the loss of any more critical time and momentum. As such, urgent dialogue of the Parties to the R-ARCSS is the most expedient way to address the current political situation. 

It is clear that the way forward on elections depends on the Parties meeting and engaging in dialogue openly and constructively, in the spirit of collegiality and consensus. Against this backdrop, and as per Article 7.10 of the Peace Agreement, RJMEC has written to the RTGoNU and stressed on the importance of the inter-party consultations and constructive  dialogue, in order to forge a viable way forward, within the framework of Article 1.9.1 of the R-ARCSS, which states that: 

“the RTGoNU is founded on the premise that there shall be collegial collaboration in decision-making and continuous consultations within the Presidency, between the President, the First Vice President, and the Four Vice Presidents, to ensure effective governance during the Transitional Period.”

Even though implementation has not progressed according to the Roadmap timelines, it is nonetheless possible to make important strides in the coming months by undertaking various tasks as stipulated in the R-ARCSS. This will serve as a clear demonstration of the political goodwill needed to move forward while engaging in dialogue. 

ENDS

Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Tuesday, 27 February 2024, Juba, South Sudan

WITH TEN MONTHS LEFT, NO CONSENSUS AMONG THE PARTIES ON ELECTIONS, KEY PENDING TASKS REMAIN INCOMPLETE 

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) today Tuesday 27 February 2024, addressed the 1202nd meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC). 

In his statement delivered virtually, RJMEC Chairperson Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said it is concerning that with 10 months to scheduled elections, much work remains to be done to complete the Agreement requirements for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections.

Amb. Gituai said that pending tasks include funding and operationalisation of the elections-related institutions responsible for preparation and conduct of elections and the making of the permanent constitution, the provisions of which will guide the conduct of elections.

Others are judicial reforms to enhance the capacity and independence of judicial institutions, completion of Phase I and II unification of forces and the expansion of political and civic space to enhance public participation in constitution and election processes.

In his address, Amb. Gituai noted: “This five-year period of the Agreement marks the longest period of relative peace, inclusivity and stability since independence in 2011. The gains made in this period are significant, considering the previous security situation in the country. It is therefore important to consolidate and protect these achievements.” 

However, the RJMEC Chair continued: “In my recent engagement with the Parties to the Agreement, it is evident that there is no consensus among the Parties on the elections.” “Given the scale of the tasks ahead, therefore, there is need for the Parties to dialogue, and demonstrate political will, compromise, consensus, unity of purpose and agree on the way forward,” he said.

In his recommendations, the RJMEC Chairperson called on the AUPSC to support the Revitalised Transitional Government to deliver credible elections within the framework of the Agreement, and encourage the Parties to dialogue in order to build the consensus and compromise as necessary to hold free, fair and credible elections.

ENDS  

Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Thursday, 8 February 2024, Juba, South Sudan

RJMEC ACKNOWLEDGES PROGRESS, NOTES MUCH WORK TO BE DONE FOR AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR FREE, FAIR AND CREDIBLE ELECTIONS

 The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) on Thursday February 8, 2024 convened its 34th monthly plenary in Juba. Addressing the meeting, RJMEC Chairperson Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said:

“This is a significant and important year for South Sudan.” However, he added, “What is unclear is how the RTGoNU and Parties to the Agreement will be able to complete the critical pending tasks and create a conducive environment for the conduct of credible elections within the time left.”

He said, “Much work needs to be done to create an enabling environment for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections, as per the Agreement and the Roadmap.”

Amb. Gituai noted commendable progress made since December 2023, especially the reconstitution and operationalisation of “some the critical institutions, such as the National Constitutional Review Commission, the National Elections Commission, and the Political Parties Council.”

“However, we are mindful of the delays in their establishment, and the very short time left for them to deliver their important mandate,” he said. 

However, Amb. Gituai took note of recent examples of intercommunal violence, in particular the Abyei Administrative Area, and Unity, Warrap, Western Bahr el Ghazal, and Jonglei States, adding: “These attacks (in Abyei) follow a pattern of continuing violence between local communities in recent weeks and months.RJMEC urges for dialogue to break the cycle of violence and underscores the need for the culture of peace to prevail. Much is at stake for the people of South Sudan as they seek to have their democratic aspirations met by holding their first elections as an independent nation.”

The RJMEC Chair drew members’ attention to a number of tasks, which if completed in a timely manner, he said ”will enhance political and civic space, sustain the peace and consolidate the gains made in the implementation of the Agreement so far.”

These include among others, the full operationalisation of the three newly reconstituted institutions, completion of Phase I and Phase II unification of forces, and addressing intercommunal violence through national and state-level dialogue and peacebuilding mechanisms.

In his recommendations, the RJMEC Chairperson encouraged dialogue among the Parties and clarity on the plans and preparations for the conduct of elections and funding of elections-related reconstituted institutions. 

Others include the completion of the training and deployment of the NUF to provide election-related security and security in areas of intercommunal violence, the funding and operationalisation of the process of making a people-led and people-owned constitution, and ensuring the participation of women in all political processes, and their representation in mechanisms in accordance with the Agreement at the minimum threshold of 35%.

Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

 Monday, 22 January 2024, Juba, South Sudan

RJMEC TO NCRC: PERMANENT CONSTITUTION TO ANCHOR LASTING STABILITY, A PEACEFUL TRANSITION AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

The Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) on Monday 22 January 2024 addressed the opening of an induction workshop for the members of the newly reconstituted National Constitutional Review Commission (RNCRC). 

In his statement, RJMEC Chairperson, Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai underlined the critical importance of the permanent constitution under the Revitalised Peace Agreement in “anchoring lasting stability, a peaceful transition and good governance.”

He continued: “There is no doubt that the Permanent Constitution, when made in an inclusive and participatory manner, will go a long way in addressing all the root causes of conflicts in this country.” 

As such, Amb. Gituai added, “I would like to first congratulate all of you upon being entrusted with this enormous and consequential responsibility,” and appealed to the Commission “to live up to its expectations” and discharge its mandate as per the Revitalised Peace Agreement, and the Permanent Constitution Making Process Act 2022. 

The RJMEC Chair continued: “It is critical to note that going by the roadmap timelines, we are far behind schedule and therefore time is of the essence. The RNCRC is expected to get up and running without any further delays,” he said.

In his address, Amb. Gituai called on the Commission to “swiftly consider and adopt practical rules of procedure, endorse the draft budget, and action plan, as well as agree on a practical strategy to immediately commence civic education and robust public consultation campaigns, to promote public debate and awareness on critical constitutional issues.” 

The constitution making process is crucial given that the provisions of the Permanent Constitution are expected to guide the conduct of elections at the end of the Transitional Period in December 2024.

ENDS

Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Thursday, 07 December, 2023, Juba, South Sudan

NEED FOR THE RTGONU TO DEMONSTRATE ITS COMMITMENT TO ELECTIONS THROUGH FUNDING ELECTIONS-RELATED INSTITUTIONS AND COMPLETION OF UNIFICATION OF FORCES. 

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) on Thursday 7 December, 2023, convened its 33rd monthly meeting in Juba. 

In his statement to the meeting, RJMEC Interim Chairperson Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai called on the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) to demonstrate commitment to the elections by providing the funding required to hold elections and to the newly reconstituted elections-related institutions (the Political Parties Council, the National Elections Commision and the National Constitutional Review Commission), and the completion of the unification of forces.

“This month next year, elections are scheduled to be held, and yet across all chapters of the Agreement, much more progress in implementation is required. One of the key issues holding up progress is funding to all the Agreement institutions and mechanisms,” he said.

Considering the diminishing period remaining before elections, Amb. Gituai added, “it is imperative that the Parties to the Agreement cooperate in a collegial manner and present a unified plan for elections.”

On security, the RJMEC Interim Chairperson raised concerns on reported military defections among armed Parties to the R-ARCSS, which often create instability resulting in loss of life and civilian displacement.

“Military defections are clearly contrary to the Revitalised Agreement, and undermine the implementation of both the Transitional Security Arrangements and the Agreement itself,” he said, adding: “In the context of the ongoing unification of forces, military defections are evidently counterproductive.”

Furthermore, Amb. Gituai said, the importance of a people-led and people-owned constitution to consolidate the peaceful and democratic aspirations of South Sudan cannot be overemphasised. 

“In this regard, the delay in the operationalisation of the National Constitutional Review Commission, and the Preparatory Sub-Committee for the National Constitutional Conference is concerning. These two institutions will drive forward the making of the permanent constitution, which will guide the conduct of elections at the end of the Transitional Period.” 

On the humanitarian sector, Amb. Gituai said:

 “Concerning humanitarian assistance, against the backdrop of projected decreased funding by the international community, the refugee and returnee influx from Sudan has increased the number of vulnerable people in South Sudan that require assistance, which include populations affected by food insecurity, intercommunal violence and persistent flooding, children at critical risk of malnutrition, and women and girls at risk of gender-based violence.”

He added: “It is therefore imperative for the RGToNU to establish the Special Reconstruction Fund and Board to pave the way for the Pledging Conference, as required by the Agreement. The Fund’s focus on reconstruction and service delivery will help underpin South Sudan’s overall development.”

ENDS