Africa-Press – South-Sudan. South Sudan’s main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) on Monday issued a communiqué following a meeting of its political bureau to deliberate on the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.
The group lamented the intentional delays in the implementation of the peace agreement. Below is the full text communiqué of the SPLM-IO.
SUDAN PEOPLE’S LIBERATION MOVEMENT
SPLM (IO)
GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
POSITION OF SPLM/SPLA (IO)
ON THE STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE
REVITALIZED AGREEMENT
The SPLM/SPLA (IO) Political Bureau met on 11th-14th March, 2022, in Juba, Republic of South Sudan to review the status of the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) 2018. The Political Bureau consulted reports from the Peace Implementation Mechanisms namely: RJMEC, NCAC, SDSR, IBC, CTSAMVM, JDB, JMCC, JTSC, SSM and DDR. The Political Bureau also received presentations from the members of SPLM/SPLA (IO) assigned in the RTGONU. After extensive deliberations, the Political Bureau observed the following:
In the light of the above, the Political Bureau evaluated the implementation of R-ARCSS and the findings are as follows:
The Political Bureau registered during the three (03) years and five (05) months of implementation of the R-ARCSS the following major incidences of violations:
From the experience of the past years, it is noted with concern that little or no action has been taken against violators. If anything at all, the parties are equally blamed or condemned. This must change. Each party must carry its own cross.
Chapter I: Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGONU)
Pre-Transitional activities that are not implemented:
Transitional Period
While the Executive of RTGONU was established on the 22nd February 2020, the National Legislature was inaugurated on 2nd August 2021, and the reconstitution of the State Assemblies started on 6th November 2021 and was completed on 26th January 2022.
The following are pending tasks required to complete the establishment of RTGONU:
Chapter II: Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements (PCTSA)
Chapter III: Humanitarian Assistance and Reconstruction
Chapter IV: Resource, Economic and Financial Management
In this Chapter only the Strategic Economic Development Roadmap (National Development Plan) (Art. 4.3.1.1) was reviewed and has been tabled before the National Legislature together with the national budget 2021/2022.
The following new institutions have not been established:
The following institutions have not been restructured and reconstituted:
The following national legislations, inter alia, have not been reviewed:
Failure to establish and reconstitute the institutions mentioned above as well as non-devolution of powers and resources to the states and counties (Art. 4.1.6 and 4.1.5) defeats the mandate of the RTGONU to reform South Sudan’s economic and public sector (Art. 4.14.10) and is tantamount to non-implementation of critical tasks of R-ARCSS.
Chapter V: Transitional Justice, Accountability, Reconciliation and Healing
The following institutions have not been established:
However, a committee was established on 10th May 2021 to undertake public consultation for drafting the legislation for the establishment of the CTRH. The committee is not discharging its mandate due to lack of funding.
The AU Commission has failed to establish the Hybrid Court for South Sudan (HCSS) (Art. 5.3.1.1).
This Chapter is very important for justice, accountability, reconciliation and healing in the country.
Chapter VI: Parameters of Permanent Constitution
RJMEC organized a constitution-making workshop moderated and facilitated by Max Planck Foundation (Art 6.8). As a result of the workshop, a Constitution Making Process Bill has been drafted (Art 6.9) and submitted to the TNLA for enactment into law.
The following institutions and processes have not been done:
Chapter VII: Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC)
Article 7.3 provides for IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government in consultation with IGAD-Plus Partners to appoint a prominent African personality to chair RJMEC. SPLM/SPLA (IO), therefore, urges IGAD to appoint the Chairperson of RJMEC.
In light of the Transitional Period ending 22nd February 2023, when most of the chapters in the Agreement have not been implemented, the way forward is for the parties, stakeholders and guarantors to the Agreement to fast track full implementation of the Agreement and in lieu of fast tracking the parties, stakeholders and guarantors must deliberate and decide on the future of the status of the Agreement.
Signed
Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, PhD
Chairman and Commander-In-Chief, SPLM/SPLA (IO), and The First Vice President of the Republic.
15/3/2022
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