Nicholas Haysom, Head of UN Mission in South Sudan. Credit | UN

The Special Representative of the UN Secretary General has called on the government to expedite the implementation of critical provisions in the peace agreement.

Nicholas Haysom says, as the transitional period nears the end, some pending tasks are yet to be fully implemented.

He also cited resurgence of subnational violence across the country.

According to the revitalized peace agreement, some provisions should have been implemented before the end of the transitional period.

These include, the reunification of forces, full establishment of state governments, permanent constitution and the economic sector reforms.

The agreement stipulates that, there shall be reforms of the judiciary that shall include but not be limited to the review of the Judiciary Act during the Transition and efforts shall be made to build the capacity of the judicial, personnel and infrastructure.

It also states that, there shall be established, during the transitional period, an independent, impartial and credible constitutional court, whose composition, functions and duties shall be regulated by law.

The agreement also provides for the reconstitution of commissions and institutions such as, Anti-Corruption Commission, National Audit Chamber, Relief and Rehabilitation, Human Rights, Judicial Service, Civil Service, Refugees, National Petroleum and Gas, South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation among others.

Others are; Public Grievances Chamber, Relief and Rehabilitation, Peace Commission, National Bureau of Statistics, Land Commission, Electricity Corporation, National Bureau of Standards, Urban Water Corporation, Roads Authority and Commission for War-Wounded, Widows and Orphans.

Also, a competent and impartial reconstituted National Elections Commission should have been in place no later than twelve months after the commencement of the transitional period.

According to the peace accord, the two-year old government should address challenges of reconstruction, repatriation, resettlement, rehabilitation and reintegration of IDPs and returnees as critical factors affecting peace building and elections.

On Resource, Economic and Financial Management under the peace agreement, the deal states that political leaders, and stakeholders shall ensure the unity government is transparent and accountable, with legal, institutional, policies and procedures fully functional for sustainable development.

It further stipulates that the government shall commit in the fight against corruption, and any leader found to have condoned or engaged in corrupt practices shall be held accountable and barred from holding public office.

Financial institutions to be reformed according to the agreement are among others the Bank of South Sudan and the National Revenue Authority.

Hybrid court – stipulated in chapter five of the deal – has also not been established.

The court shall investigate and where necessary prosecute individuals bearing responsibility for violations of international law and, or, applicable South Sudanese law, committed from 15^th December 2013 through the end of the transitional period.

Yesterday, President Salva Kiir launched the public consolation for the establishment of the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing.

Speaking during the event, the chief of the UN Mission in South Sudan called on the unity government to expedite the unimplemented provisions in the peace deal.

“Ten months are left of the transitional period, I strongly encourage all parties to channel a renewed momentum towards completion of the remaining benchmarks in the peace agreement,” Haysom said.

“The resurgence of subnational violence across the country, amplified by growing humanitarian needs underscores the urgency of this moment.”