The Revitalized Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) produced its fourth progress and status report on implementation of the Revitalized South Sudan Peace Agreement at the beginning of the week. Chaired by its interim chair, Lt. General Njoroge, the RJMEC noted overall progress in terms of implementing the peace agreement and of establishing institutions and mechanisms. It emphasized the need to expedite establishment of the other commissions and called for financial support from partners for the implementation of the peace agreement. The RJMEC made it clear there had been delays in disengagement of forces, in the release of all political detainees, the demobilization of child soldiers, and in soldiers vacating civilian buildings. While there has been a reduction of violence across the country, one exception to this has been the report of the alleged rape of about 138 women around Bentiu in December. The CTSAMVM and the government are both carrying out investigations. There have also been continued clashes between opposition forces and provocative actions by government troops around Wau in Greater Bahr El Ghazal.
The Commission heard reports from various Commissions and Boards which have now agreed to hold future meetings in Juba. Following assurances by the Transitional Government of National Unity, a number of opposition members have returned to Juba. The Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMVM) has seen considerable progress including the joint field visits of the military commanders of armed groups. It noted significant progress on the establishment of the security institutions with the exception of the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Committee.
On the political aspects of the Peace Agreement, positive developments have included the freeing of some high-level political prisoners. There have been meetings of the National Pre-Transitional Committee (NPTC) and establishment of its five sub-committees, each chaired by one of the parties’ signatory to the Peace Agreement. The Committee is working on a roadmap and budget requirements for the implementation of the peace agreement. Cabinet Affairs Minister Dr. Martin Lomoro called for the financial support of partners as the government has opened a national account assuring donors on financial accountability. UNMISS deputy Special Representative, Moustafa Soumare, acknowledged encouraging developments such as the completion of the draft constitutional amendment, as well as noting clashes between government and opposition forces in Wau, Unity, Western Bahr El Ghazal and Jonglei, all of which violated the ceasefire agreement. The National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC), which has now moved its meetings to Juba and is fully engaged in incorporating the Revitalized Agreement into the Transitional Constitution.
The RJMEC commended the IGAD Special Envoy and all the parties for the progress over the Security Arrangement Mechanisms. It called on the leadership of the opposition SSOA and its members to resolve their differences. It thanked the Government of Japan for its support to the NPTC and to IGAD. It reiterated its call to the IGAD office of the Special Envoy to expedite the formation of the Independent Boundary Commission and the Technical Boundary Committee. It instructed the RJMEC Chair to ask IGAD to clarify the timeframe for these institutions. In a resolution, the RJMEC insisted on the importance of observing the ceasefire across the whole of the country, and called on the Special Envoy to persuade the non-signatory groups to the agreement to observe this. The next RJMEC monthly meeting will be held in the third week of January.
