Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai, The Chairperson of RJMEC - File Photo/RJMEC

The peace monitoring body, R-JMEC says, the lack of sufficient progress and clarity on election preparedness, is creating uncertainty on the timely democratic transition.

This is because, key institutions necessary for the conduct of the general elections slated for December next year, have not been reconstituted.

The institutions include the Political Parties Council, the National Elections Commission, and the National Constitutional Review Commission.

Maj Gen Charles Tai Gituai says it is incumbent on the country’s leadership to consolidate the peace dividends to all communities through a democratic transition.

The peace monitoring body boss further calls on the parties to dialogue and agree on the practical steps to fast-track the implementation of the Roadmap to ensure the timely conduct of elections.

Gituai stated that he is not sure what the democratic transition will look like, given the lack of progress and clarity on election preparedness.

“The lack of sufficient progress and clarity on elections preparedness, Constitution Making, unification of forces, each of which is a critical pre-condition for smooth and successful elections, is creating uncertainty,” said Gituai made the remarks during the 32^nd plenary of R-JMEC.

“Given the achievement of having reached five years of relative peace, it is incumbent on the country’s leadership to consolidate the peace dividends to all its diverse communities through a democratic transition”.

General Gituai only commends the submission by the peace parties of their lists of representatives for the reconstitution of the National Constitutional Review Committee.

“In terms of the Permanent Constitution Making Process, the parties and stakeholders have all submitted the lists of their representatives to the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC) and the Preparatory Sub-Committee of the National Constitutional Conference,” Gituai said.

“This move is expected to pave the way for the reconstitution of the NCRC, which continues to be way behind schedule,” he said.

“I appeal to the President to expeditiously appoint the nominated NCRC members and reconstitute the Commission to commence its critical mandate”.

Gen Gituai however, called for complete unification and redeployment of forces and the provision of adequate resources to the security mechanisms.

He also recommended that the cabinet present the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing as well as the Compensation and Reparation Authority Bills before the parliament for enactment.

About two weeks ago, the Cabinet Affairs Minister Dr Martin Elia Lomuro said, the elections-related institutions would be reconstituted upon the return of the President from the UN General Assembly in the United States.

First Vice President Dr Riak Machar also affirmed the progress made in the establishment of the mechanisms and said names have been provided.

But this has not happened so far.