The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC) has expressed concerns over the increased frustrations exhibited by citizens over the slow pace of the implementation of critical chapters of the revitalized peace agreement.

In its quarterly report on the status of the implementation of the peace agreement, released yesterday, the R-JMEC said the peace accord is endangered by the chapters yet to be implemented.

Their concerns revolve around non-completion of the unification of forces, stalemate on the agreement on the command structure and force ratios, and required redeployment of the trained component of the Necessary Unified forces (NUF). 

The RJMEC Interim Chairperson Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said this gap worsens the security situation at the subnational level and ‘‘compounds public frustration with the parties and undermines confidence in the peace process.”

“These cross-cutting challenges throughout the agreement must be urgently and collectively addressed if progress is to be sustained and accelerated,” Maj Gen Charles said.

 He added: “Insufficient political will among the parties to compromise and adhere to the letter and spirit of the agreement, trust deficit and lack of confidence among the parties including intra-party disagreements and in-fighting continue to undermine progress in implementation of the agreement.” 

The R-JMEC said that missed timelines, delays, and lack of prioritization of key tasks, and the inability of the parties to sufficiently coordinate, cooperate, collaborate, compromise, and forge consensus were among the challenges facing the implementation of the agreement.

Lack of funding

While the report highlights some progress so far made, Gen Charles said the insufficient funding and resources needed, lack of prioritization of critical security tasks, logistical supply for the cantonment sites and training centers continue to hamper the full implementation of the agreement.

 “It is clear that much effort is required on the part of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) and Transitional National Legislative (TNL) to keep the implementation of the R-ARCSS at a pace which will realize the holding of elections at the end of the Transitional Period,’’ he revealed.

“The RTGoNU, in particular, is expected to demonstrate political will and commit the requisite level of resources towards implementation,” Gen Charles said.

R-JMEC called on the R-TGoNU to commit to a US $100 million yearly contribution to a Special Reconstruction Fund, which is expected to attract additional support from international partners.

In its humanitarian report on the Tombura crises, the R-JMEC said the clashes have resulted in the deaths of many civilians including women and children and 80,000 people have been internally displaced.

The commission further urged the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly to move quickly to enact the legislation that is already before it and initiate the process of reviewing those that are still pending. 

“Indeed the people of South Sudan, [are] weary of the years of conflict and are looking to the implementation of the R-ARCSS as a step towards lasting and sustainable peace,” the R-JMEC statement read in part.