R-JMEC chief urges parliament to pass critical bills

JUBA, APRIL 20, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), Maj. Gen Charles Tai Gituai, has urged the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) to expedite the passing of critical laws necessary for smooth implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.

General Gituai made this call on Thursday while addressing members of the reconstituted TNLA in the assembly.

“With a relatively short space of time left before elections, the people of South Sudan look upon you to urgently enact the remaining pieces of legislation. Today is approximately 20 months until elections, scheduled to be held in December 2024,” he said.

He hailed members of parliament for carrying out their duties effectively, noting that their “oversight role and mandate of enacting legislation is indispensable to the success of the implementation of the Peace Agreement.”

“In spite of the considerable progress which has been made towards the implementation of some provisions of the R-ARCSS to date, overall, this has been slow and the implementation of many critical tasks of the Agreement is still pending. Within this extended Transitional Period, the sense of urgency required seems to be lacking.”

He said “It can only be reconstituted after the enactment of the National Elections Bill 2022. As a result of these delays, all the elections-related tasks, including the establishment and functioning of institutions that drive the elections process, are behind schedule. This, therefore, increases the need for this House to consider the National Elections Bill as a matter of urgency.”

The RJMEC chief appealed to the House to ensure that specific funding for all national members of Agreement mechanisms is allocated in the budgeting process.

“Given the magnitude of the tasks ahead as described and the slow pace of implementation, it is incumbent upon all parties of the RTGoNU to redouble efforts, work collaboratively, in a collegial and consultative manner, to address any concerns and disputes that may.”