South Sudan's peace monitors urge parties not to lose track on peace process

JUBA, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan's peace monitors on Thursday called on the signatories to the fragile 2018 peace agreement not to lose track of the pact.

In his end-year message, Charles Tai Gituai, Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) said implementation of the peace agreement has been moving slowly in the past one year.

"On several occasions, I have urged for the pace of implementation to increase, but this has not happened, and much of the same issues are still outstanding even as 2020 draws to a close," Gituai said.

"I therefore urge all the Parties, stakeholders, all partners, friends and the people of South Sudan, not to lose sight of this goal," Gutuai stressed.

Gituai called on the leaders to commit to the peace pact because it remains the most important aspiration of the people of South Sudan.

"The implementation of the agreement is important to lay a firm foundation for the conduct of democratic elections at the end of the transitional period," he noted.

Signatories to the 2018 peace agreement were expected to complete key tasks such as establishment of local governments, unification of forces and reconstitution of public institutions before the formation of a coalition government on Feb. 22.

But the process has been hampered by disagreement between the former foes and lack of resources to fund the training and graduation of the joint unified force of 83,000 personnel.

Gituai urged the peace partners to urgently resolve the ongoing dispute over the appointment of the governor of oil-rich Upper Nile State, complete the reconstitution of parliament and also finalize the process of making a permanent constitution for South Sudan.

"I call upon all parties to engage constructively and agree on a roadmap that will make the constitution-making process inclusive and participatory, within the timeline and parameters envisaged by the agreement," Gituai said.

"Let us use this Christmas season as a period of reflection. May we all recommit ourselves to the pursuit of peace and return in the new year refreshed and ready to go the extra mile," he added. Enditem