The NCAC national staff, who are on the government payroll, have been on strike since March demanding payment of 10 months of outstanding arrears.
The committee is mandated to incorporate the revitalized peace agreement into the transitional constitution and review security, political parties, and election laws.
Out of the 15 NCAC members, two non-national staff are paid by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), while 13 national members, who are representatives of the parties to the peace agreement, are supposed to be paid by the government.
However, the government has not been paying them.
Speaking during an RJMEC monthly plenary meeting in Juba, Maj. Gen. Gituai said lack of support for the NCAC would impede the implementation of judicial reforms.
“Furthermore, the non-payment of accumulated allowances of the national members of the NCAC is likely to jeopardize the completion of their work,” Gituai said.
A retired Kenyan military officer, who is a member of the RJMEC, said the work of the Judicial Reform Committee has already stalled due to lack of funding.
“The work of the RJC has largely stalled due to lack of facilitation of its leadership. In light of the criticality of the tasks ahead and limited time left before elections, it is imperative to fund these mechanisms to complete their work as scheduled,” he said.
The officer appealed to the government, partners, and friends of South Sudan to provide the necessary funding and resources to help these mechanisms complete their tasks ahead of elections.