By Taban Henry
The Revitalized Transitional National Legislative Assembly (RTNLA) has been urged to put more emphasis and focus on the legislation preparations for the constitution amendments and election processes.
The Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), Ambassador Maj. Gen. (rtd) Charles Tai Gituai made the statement while opening orientation workshop for the Revitalized Transitional National Legislative Assembly yesterday.
The workshop aimed at familiarizing the August House with the content of the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
Rtd. Gen. Gituai also called on the legislators to assist the government to keep abreast with the current status of its implementation.
Gituai said that it is imperative for the RTNLA to prioritize and focus on the legislative preparations for the constitutional making and election process quoting them as essential requirements of the agreement in order to transition the country into a democratic one.
“I encourage you as the members of the August House to continue to remain seized of the implementation of the R-ARCSS and ensure appropriate and timely legislation that will hasten the achievement of the election process with the timeline,” he said.
Gituai added that they are aware of the challenges that have continued to impede the implementation of the R-ARCSS.
“The range from lack of sufficient requisite resources for the implementation of the peace agreement, insufficient requisite political will and the commitment of some actors to implement the R-ARCSS, trust deficit amongst some members of the parties; persistent subnational violence affecting some communities; actions of the holdout groups; recent military defections from one signatory party to another and the impact of climate change which has caused serious flooding hence inducing conflict,” he stated.
In addition, the RJMEC interim chairperson hinted that time is now of the essence, citing the anxiety amongst the parties to the R-ARCSS, and the peace partners regarding how the outstanding tasks of the R-ARCSS shall be expeditiously implemented within the short remaining time of the transitional period.
He further added that they requested the RTGoNU to put in place a strategy to complete implementation of the R-ARCSS within the remaining of the transitional period.
“With barely 9 months left to the end of the transitional period, the R-ARCSS is at the critical juncture. For instance, the full unification of forces and the permanent constitution making process should have been near completion by now but this is not the case,” RJMEC chairperson further said.
Rtd. Gen. Gituai underscored to the members of the RTNLA, the importance of people led and people owned permanent constitution, which will be the cornerstone for the country to prepare the way for smooth transition through free, fair and credible elections.
He reminded the August House of the critical role that the institution plays in ensuring that the necessary legislations are enacted to enable this peace process to commence expeditiously.
“I reiterate my call to the parties to the R-ARCSS to continue to build on the peace dividends made so far, adhere to their commitment to peace, take steps to restore broken relationships, build trust and confidences among yourselves, turn a new page and inculcate the necessary political will which shall move the country forward towards enduring peace and stability,” he stated.