South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC) on Thursday urged the parties to the 2018 revitalized peace agreement in South Sudan to speed up enactment of pending security and financial management bills.
Charles Tai Gituai, the chairperson of R-JMEC said during a plenary meeting of peace partners, that the two bills before the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) are critical for creating conducive environment for the conduct of the upcoming general elections slated for December 2024.
“R-JMEC appeals to the RTGoNU and the TNLA to expedite the enactment of all the pending amendment bills, including the National Security Service Bill and those critical for creating conducive environment for the conduct of elections and in enhancing civic and political space,” Gituai said in Juba.
In addition, he noted that the pending Public Finance Management and Accountability (PFMA), Amendment Bill 2024, when enacted into law by the TNLA will ensure prudent and transparent financial management and accountability.
Gituai also said that the National Elections Commission (NEC) and the Political Parties Council (PPC) have both reportedly received some funding to enable them commence their operations, adding that the Reconstituted National Constitutional Review Commission (R-NCRC) is yet to receive funding.
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Ruben Madol Arol recently scrapped the exorbitant registration fees amounting to 75,000 U.S dollars imposed on political parties by the Political Parties Council.
The move was welcomed by various political parties, which had failed to meet the fees for registration to participate in the elections.
Gituai also revealed that in terms of legislative reforms, the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) has completed its work, adding that what remains is for the TNLA and the executive to approve the laws.
“Overall, it is important to underline that four years into the transitional period; relative progress has been made in the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement. All efforts should therefore, should be made to consolidate the peace gains, and lay a firm foundation for lasting peace, development and prosperity for the people of South Sudan,” Gituai said.
He appreciated President Salva Kiir and the First Vice President, Riek Machar for their commitment to commence Phase II of cantonment and training of the unified forces, as well the unification of the middle and lower level echelons of command.
South Sudan is supposed to graduate a total of 83,000 unified forces under the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.
These forces charged with security of the country comprise of police, army, prisons, and wildlife and intelligence services.