RJMEC urges peace partners to rebuild trust ahead of papal visit

RJMEC Chairperson Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai. (File photo)

The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has urged the leadership of the unity government, peace partners, and South Sudanese people to renew their confidence in the peace process, rebuild trust, and demonstrate genuine political will and unity of purpose, with the spirit of forgiveness and magnanimity ahead of the Pope’s visit next month.

Speaking at the 26^th RJMEC monthly meeting in Juba on Thursday, RJMEC Chairperson Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said the visit of the Pope, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Portal Welby, and Rt Rev Dr. Iain Greenshields, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland indicated that the world desires peace for South Sudan.

“The imminent Ecumenical Peace Pilgrimage to Juba of the three religious leaders, led by His Holiness, Pope Francis, is an indicator of the world’s desire for lasting peace in South Sudan.” He said. “I hope the RTGoNU and the people of South Sudan will find inspiration and a spirit of forgiveness in these visits to renew public confidence in the peace process by rebuilding trust and showing a unity of purpose, and demonstrate genuine political will through joint actions and messaging for peace.”

General Gituai also told the meeting that the Commission noted with concern that there were numerous armed clashes during the recent Christmas holidays which resulted in hundreds of lives lost and thousands displaced particularly in Upper Nile State and in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area.

“There is a very serious picture of escalating violence, negatively impacting the environment in which the R-ARCSS is being implemented,” he said. 

Gituai further noted that six bills were assented to by the President of the Republic of South Sudan in December, including the Constitution-making Process Bill 2022. However, he raised a concern that their operationalization needs to be further advanced.

“By now, there are critical institutions which should have been reconstituted to pave the way for the implementation of key aspects of the Agreement,” he said. “For instance, the Political Parties Council which is central for the registration of political parties, and there is also the National Constitutional Review Commission which is tasked with spearheading the constitution-making process.”

He also called for the immediate reconstitution and funding of the National Constitutional Review Commission and its Secretariat and fast-tracking the establishment of other mechanisms like the Constitutional Drafting Committee (CDC) and the Preparatory Sub-Committee.

In his conclusion, Amb. Gituai urged the unity government to harmonize the ranks of the unified forces, and provide for their welfare so that they can be deployed to provide security and protection for civilians caught up in sub-national violence.