Critical tasks remain undone in the implementation of revitalized Agreement, says RJMEC

April 14, 2019 East Africa, JMEC, Newsbeat, Peace Building, Press Releases, South Sudan

RJMEC Interim Chairperson H.E Ambassador Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge (Centre). With him are Chief of Staff Amb. Berhanu Kebede (right) and Deputy Chief of Staff (Strategy), Dr. Thomson Fontaine.(Photo credit: RJMEC/SSNN)

April 14, 2019(SSNN) — As the end of the pre-transitional period draws near on May 12, 2019, critical tasks in the implementation of the revitalized Agreement remain pending, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has said.

Speaking during the 5^thRJMEC Plenary in Juba on Friday, Interim Chairperson Ambassador Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge said in his opening statement, (attached)

“Critical pending tasks include activities towards the unification of forces, which involve the process of cantonment and training, and the determination on the number and boundaries of States, and the composition and restructuring of the Council of States.”

He said “it is clear that achievements have fallen way short of what was intended for the Pre-Transitional Period.”

Additionally, Ambassador Njoroge expressed concern over continued denial of access faced by CTSAMVM’s Monitoring and Verification Teams (MVTs) in the country.

RJMEC said, “During the first quarter of this year, the number of access denials the MVTs encountered totaled to 31. Despite the resolutions of the RJMEC, it is disappointing to note that this is a persistent problem.”

“I call on the commanders in Juba to hold their field commanders to account and allow free and unfettered access,” he said.

He noted “with dismay” that findings of investigations into the November 2018 incidents of sexual and gender-based violence in Bentiu have not been made public, nor has RJMEC been given the full report of the government’s investigation and action on the Luri incident.

On the humanitarian front Ambassador Njoroge said “A critical issue to be addressed by the Political leaders of South Sudan is the living conditions of the almost 4 million refugees and internally displaced who are living in very difficult circumstances.”

“These South Sudanese citizens are eagerly waiting for the security conditions to improve so as to return to their homes. Their confidence and trust will be enhanced by the commitment of political leaders to significantly improve the security environment for their voluntary and dignified return, hopefully for a better future,” he said.