JMEC: Break Through In Implementation Of Peace Agreement

By Jok P Mayom

JUBA, 31 May 2016 [Gurtong]: The Head of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) in South Sudan has said that the commission has witnessed some positive development in the implementation of some aspects of the peace agreement, particularly in the security and defense sector.

Hon. Festus Gontebanye Mogae, leading the monitoring body in South Sudan said in his opening remarks at a plenary meeting of JMEC on Tuesday that there is hope that the peace agreement will be implemented.

“I am pleased to see that the Strategic Defense and Security Review (SDSR) board is fully functional and that the Joint Monitoring Team (JMT) responsible for managing the affairs of the Joint Integrated Police (JIP) has been formed and had its first meeting last week” he said.

He hails the commitment by President Salva Kiir Mayardit and First Vice President (FVP) Dr. Riek Machar Teny in the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) and implementation process entering the second phase of agreement.

Mogae appreciate the conciliatory statement made by both leaders calling for cooperation, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.

“…..It is my earnest hope that this positive spirit will be the driving force for the swift establishment of all the institutions that are integral to the full implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCISS)” said JMEC chair.

He further said, “sustaining and nourishing this spirit of cooperation is crucial at a time when the government and the people of South Sudan embark on a protracted journey of revamping existing institutions and establishing new ones.”

He further encouraged the government to ensure that the JMT and Joint Operations Center (JOC) are fully resourced and operational as soon as possible.

Since the signing of the August 2015 peace agreement, the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) and Joint Military Ceasefire Commission (JMCC) have worked hard to ensure the restoration of peace in South Sudan.

Mogae said, “I continue to count on these institutions (CTSAMM and JMCC) as we begin the second phase of the transitional security arrangement for Juba and the cantonment for others forces outside Juba”.

“I call upon the TGoNU and line ministries and international partners to capacitate these institutions (JMCC and CTSAMM) to enable them discharge their responsibilities” he appealed.

“It is with great relief that some satisfaction that I announce the breakthrough that we have achieved in resolving the outstanding issue of other political parties representation in the Transitional Legislative Assembly and Transitional Institutions” Mogae said.