RJMEC Chairperson, Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai. Photo credit: R-JMEC

The lack of trust and confidence among the parties is delaying peace implementation, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission has said.

In its quarterly report, R-JMEC says another challenge is also the lack of financial resources for implementing the agreement.

However, the peace monitoring body stated that minimal progress has been made toward the permanent constitution although the President assented to the Constitution Making Process Act in December 2022.

According to the peace monitoring body, there were delays in the amendment of the National Elections Act, 2012, and the operationalization of the Political Parties Act.

On the security arrangements, R-JMEC says despite the graduation of 55,000 necessary unified forces, the commencement of Phase II of the unification process has been delayed.

Meanwhile, attacks on humanitarian workers and assets, and looting of their supplies have worsened the dire humanitarian situation in the country.

Economic and financial reforms process have been initiated and are ongoing, albeit slowly.

R-JMEC further said transitional justice processes have not advanced as expected.

This includes insufficient progress toward the establishment of the Commission for Truth Reconciliation and Healing.

It also added that the reconstitution of the institution and establishment of the mechanisms mandated by law for the making of the permanent constitutions are behind schedule.

The report of the peace monitoring body underscores the urgency required for expediting the implementation of the agreement by the unity government.

It is calling on the government to prioritize the allocation of predictable funding to the Agreement institutions and mechanisms, particularly to the security mechanisms in order to complete the unification of forces.

In its recommendations, R-JMEC is calling on the parties and the South Sudanese Stakeholders and Adherents to immediately submit lists of their nominees to the various constitution-making mechanisms to the Minister of Justice.

It is also calling on the unity government to enhance consultations and dialogue in the spirit of collegial collaboration and consensus so as to address emerging issues during the implementation of the agreement.

The peace monitoring body renewed its call on the legislature to expedite the enactment of all the outstanding bills including the National Elections Bill which has been presented by the executive to help strengthen the Elections process.