South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
Peace partners have launched a grassroots campaign aimed to enhance the opening up of civic and political space and also create public awareness about the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in partnership with the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) and the Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), launched the grassroots campaign on Thursday in Gurei -Lemon Gaba suburb of Juba.
Reuben Inaju, the Head of the Community Outreach Unit at UNMISS, said the grassroots campaign will provide updates on how the peace process is progressing and also give opportunity to communities to interact with peace monitors.
Inaju emphasized the importance of the public understanding the peace agreement, saying it is vital for its successful implementation.
Guy Gabriel, the Communications Advisor for RJMEC, said that their primary mandate is to oversee the implementation of the various bodies responsible for executing the peace agreement.
“We gather reports from these institutions and communicate our findings to the government, IGAD, the African Union, and the United Nations Security Council,” he explained.
Gabriel made it clear that RJMEC is not an enforcement body but rather serves to monitor and evaluate the peace efforts.
“We assess what needs to be done and ensure transparency in the process,” he said.
Gabriel also noted that the elections that were recently rescheduled for December 2026 are crucial determinant of the future of South Sudan.
The parties to the peace agreement on September 13, 2024 postponed the elections that had been planned for December this year, citing delayed progress in completing the outstanding peace tasks within the agreement.
Gabriel’s remarks underscored the urgency of maintaining momentum towards these elections, as they represent a pivotal step toward stabilizing the nation.
The event received strong support from local leaders, including Rabi Musa, the head chief of Guri North.
Musa expressed deep appreciation to UNMISS and RJMEC for engagement with local communities.
“The people of Gurei are eager for the elections; it is our only hope for lasting peace in South Sudan,” he said.
His comments resonated with many attendees who shared a common sentiment, that political engagement through elections could bring about significant change and stability.
“It is crucial for our voices to be heard. We must work together to ensure that our concerns are addressed and that the peace agreement translates into tangible benefits for our communities,” Musa said.
Participants engaged in discussions, sharing their perspectives and experiences. The atmosphere was filled with optimism as community members expressed a collective desire for peace, stability, and a brighter future for South Sudan.
This grassroots campaign not only provided critical information about the peace agreement but also reinforced the importance of unity and collaboration among all stakeholders in the ongoing peace process.
