By Matia Samuel Timatio
The Deputy Chief of Staff for the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) is worried about the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republicof South Sudan (R-ARCSS), as slow implementation has been witnessed.
Dr. Thomson Fontaine made the remarks during the R-ARCSS orientation workshop in Juba for the members of the RTNLA.
He said that the implementation of the R-ARCSS has really been slow while the critical task still remains unimplemented.
“With barely 9 months left to the end of the transitional period, the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic is at critical juncture, for instance, full unification of forces and the permanent Constitution making process should have been nearing completion by now but this is not the case,” Dr. Thomson stated.
He continued to say; “At this time therefore, the RTNLA’s role is critical to facilitate other outstanding tasks such as constitutional making and elections processes necessary for the country to a democratic dispensation, therefore members of the August House should continue to hold on to the implementation of the R-ARCSS and ensure appropriate and timely legislation that will hasten the achievement of the election process within the timelines.”
The official mentioned some various challenges that have continued to impede implementation of the R-ARCSS which range from lack of sufficient political will and commitment by some actors to implement the agreement and requisite resources for the implementation of the pact.
“Trust deficit amongst some members of the parties, capacity gaps in some agreement institutions and mechanisms, persistent subnational violence affecting some communities, some actions of holdout groups, military defections from one signatory party to another, the impact of climate change which has caused serious flooding hence induced conflicts especially has caused displacement of the people and the cattle movement,” Thomson explained.
He however stressed that time is now of the essence and that there is anxiety amongst the parties to the R-ARCSS and peace partners regarding how the outstanding tasks of R-ARCSS shall be expeditiously implemented within the remaining period of the transition because RJMEC has repeatedly requested the RTGoNU to put in place a roadmap and strategy to complete the implementation of the peace agreement within the remainder of the transitional period.
“The importance of a people-led and people owned permanent constitution which will be the cornerstone of the state of south Sudan is preparing the way for smooth transition through free, fair and credible elections so as the legislative arms of government. I take the opportunity to remind you of the critical role of TNLA in ensuring that necessary legislation is enacted to enable the process to commence expeditiously,” he stated.
“In conclusion, I encourage the RTNLA to continue to engage with the lower structures of government to popularize the R-ARCSS as the only framework for restoring peace and stability and I also reiterate my call to all the parties to continue building on the peace dividend made so far to adhere to their commitments to peace to take steps to restore broken relationships to build trust and confidence among each other to turn a new page and to inculcate the necessary political will which shall move the country forward towards enduring peace and stability,” Thompson urged. The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) is mandated to monitor and oversee all aspects of the implementation of the agreement and tasks of the Transitional Government of National Unity, including the adherence of the Parties to the agreed timelines and implementation schedule, also oversee all work of Pre-Transitional and Transitional institutions and mechanisms created by the agreement among other tasks.