
Yesterday Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gitaui, the Chairman of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commisison (R-JMEC) delivered his statement on the progress of the R-ARCSS and the implementation of the process to the United Nations Security Coucil (UNSC). As this would prove how the R-TGoNU and all the stakeholders are coordinating and working together to facilitate all the articles of the agreement. However, the R-JMEC is stating what we already knew, but shows that the time and the current movement is to slow.
The Government of South Sudan, the leadership and everyone in Juba is clearly not moving ahead. The Head of State and the Ministers are not motivated or having the ambition to finish the stipulation of the R-ARCSS. Since, it is not like they have tried and unknowingly, there is always a crisis and a scandal, which comes as an excuse to postpone or hold later conferences or meetings to ensure all stakeholders are approving of the steps forward.
That’s why Maj. Gen. Gitaui is speaking the truth here:
“Overall, progress in implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement has generally been very slow from the beginning, and there are several recurring challenges facing it. The challenges include lack of sufficient resources (both financial and material) needed for the implementation of the Agreement; insufficient political will and commitment of some actors; trust deficit amongst the Parties; capacity gaps; subnational violence and activities of the holdout groups; military defections from one signatory party to another; flooding; and the COVID-19 pandemic” (STATEMENT BY H.E. MAJ. GEN. CHARLES TAI GITUAI (RTD) INTERIM CHAIRPERSON, RJMEC ON THE STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REVITALISED AGREEMENT ON THE RESOLUTION OF THE CONFLICT IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN TO THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL, 08.03.2022).
What is striking is that the state doesn’t have enough funds to implement it, but has a huge staff of cronies and nepotism. There are so many Vice-Presidents, but not working hospitals or schools for the citizens to use. Neither is there other government institutions to help the citizens. That should be the priority, but the state prefers to pay for SUVs and majestic titles for the insiders. If not ensure shady deals and lavish spending on VIPs. Therefore, the teachers and civil servants are not paid, but they got to bribe other state employees to get the help they need. That is what is reported, but not supposed to be told.
It doesn’t make it better that R-JMEC has to ask about this now:
“Given the challenges facing implementation, the critical tasks pending, and the Agreement timeline nearing expiry, RJMEC has tasked the Revitalised Unity Government to review the status of the implementation of the Agreement and develop a clear roadmap and strategy within the framework of the Revitalised Peace Agreement on how to implement the outstanding critical tasks as the end of the Transitional Period approaches. The roadmap should be consensus-based, with verifiable benchmarks and timelines” (STATEMENT BY H.E. MAJ. GEN. CHARLES TAI GITUAI (RTD) INTERIM CHAIRPERSON, RJMEC ON THE STATUS OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REVITALISED AGREEMENT ON THE RESOLUTION OF THE CONFLICT IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN TO THE UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL, 08.03.2022).
This is telling the stakeholders, the government and everyone involved to sit down. Meet and greet, nod their heads and make lists of things they need to fulfil. While they have to make a time-line and deadlines to finish it. Alas, they have to gather, hold conferences and meetings. These most likely has to happen in Khartoum, Entebbe or in Rome. The warlords and the ones in-charge has to trust each other and settle grievances across the table. The opposition as well as the In-Government parties. All of them has to join forces, talk and negotiate. They have to make things possible and show goodwill.
That’s why this is worrying sign, after all of this time… that the R-JMEC has to ask for this now. Shows the current affairs isn’t moving along or trying it even. Just like they are not interested in it. Because, that means it has to sincere elections and possible changes of leadership.
If things are staying as now and with the ones in power. Things are not possibly moving, if anything at all. That is risking the ones who has an office and finally gotten power. They are seemingly happy with that and bashing in the glory of it too. While the limbo and transition seems to be a steady unit and not a temporary gig. It seems like it is stagnate and only keeping everyone worried with caution. With that being said, this is better than war and conflict. It is better to be stagnate and have lack-luster results. However, you cannot deliver that on the regular and expect to be praised either. Mediocrity isn’t something to aspire too and being self-imposed leaders aren’t that inspirational either.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit, FVP Riek Machar and the others have a torch to carry and light a flame that be an eternal one. They can bring the peace and a representative government to the Republic of South Sudan. That is, if that is of interest and if they have will to do it. The ones in-charge and leading the nation has the opportunity and ability to make it happen. However, their will haven’t been there…
I doubt the nod and the wink of deadlines or roadmaps will make a difference. Only add stress and cause a stir. As that makes the leaders more edgy and they know they actually has to finalize the “transition” which they hoped could be semi-permanent. Since that is how it’s looking to me. Peace.











