Signatories to the peace agreement sign a deal to extend the transitional period by 24 months. | 5th August 2022. | Photo: Lou Nelson/Eye Radio.

As the two-year extension of the transitional period commenced on Wednesday, here is what to know about the implementation matrix and what the parties should have completed in the last six months, according to the roadmap.

The unity government is lagging behind the deadline, and many outstanding provisions would have been implemented by now.

From August 30, 2022 to February 28, 2023, the unity government would have implemented the following provisions according to the roadmap implementation matrix^.

The matrix for February.

* The unity government to complete the infrastructural development to pave way for a competent National Elections Commission, or NEC.

The government says there is a fenced plot for the NEC HQs in Juba, while in the states, there are open plots for the NEC head offices.

However, the NEC, which is yet to be reconstituted and facing eviction threats, is still renting in Juba.

* On the implementation of Chapter Three of the R-ARCSS, the National Constitutional Amendment Committee, or NCAC and the parties are to review the 2016 NGO Act according to international best practices.

However, the NCAC, on February 22, 2023, conducted stakeholders meeting for the review of the Act.

*On the roadmap, parties agreed that starting August 30, 2022, to February 28, 2023, the unity government should provide the Special Reconstruction Fund, or SRF with initial funding of not less than 100 million dollars per year.

It is not clear whether the SRF has been established or received some of the amount.

*The roadmap for the implementation of Chapter Four of the R-ARCSS indicates that the unity government, with the transitional legislature should decide on the nomenclature of the Bank of South Sudan, or BoSS.

*The Presidency is also to ensure the statutory and supervisory independence of BoSS, its leadership, and composition and appointment of the board.

*The unity government, particularly the Ministry of Finance and Planning, is tasked with reviewing and implementing the strategic economic development of the roadmap.

*The roadmap further tasks the Presidency to nominate the head of Anti-corruption Commission and forward to the legislature for approval.

However, it is not clear if the commission has reconstituted, since the parliament is still on recess.

*The NCAC, R-TGoNU and R-TNLA are also tasked with reviewing the National Audit Chamber Act 2011 and guarantee its independence.

*The Ministry of Petroleum, Audit Chamber, and R-TGoNU are to identify, check and record all loans and contracts collateralized against oil.

*Ministries of Petroleum and Public Service and R-TGoNU are to review all current employment in the oil sector.

*Ministry of Petroleum, Ministry of Finance and BoSS are to enforce the law and procedures of the Ministry of Finance and Planning on the remittal of oil revenue including surface rentals, training fees, and bonuses among others.

*Ministry of Finance and Planning, Ministry of Petroleum and Anti-corruption Commission are to ensure prudent management of the oil stabilization account, and future generations’ fund, in accordance with the revised Public Finance Management and Accountability Act.

*Ministries of Petroleum, Mining, R-TGoNU and stakeholders are to ensure community participation in the decision-making process regarding the awarding of contracts and use of natural resources.

*Audit Chamber, R-TGoNU and R-TNLA are to review and audit the previous allocation and transfer of the 2% and 3% made to oil producing states and communities since 2011.

*Ministry of Petroleum and R-TGoNU to review and transform the national oil company – Nile Petroleum Corporation and the National Petroleum Gas Commission.

In November 2022, parties to the unity government extended the transitional period for 24 months, until December 2024, when elections are expected to usher in a new government.

The pending tasks of the peace agreement include reviewing the new National Elections Act to conform to the permanent constitution.

Others are the enactment of the Political Parties Act, 2022, the National Constitutional Review conducts of civic education on the permanent constitution, and the deployment of the unified forces, among others.