Communication Office
PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Publication)
Thursday, 17 July Juba, South Sudan
RJMEC RELEASES ITS LATEST QUARTERLY REPORT, CALLS FOR RESTORATION OF TRUST AMONG PARTIES AND RETURN TO FULL AND INCLUSIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE R-ARCSS
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has today released its Quarterly Report on the status of implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
In the report covering the 2nd quarter of the year (1st April to 30th June 2025), the Commission notes that, overall, the implementation of the key provisions of the Revitalised Peace Agreement faced severe setbacks during the reporting period, with progress largely stalled and the risk of renewed conflict increasing.
“The general political and security situation in the Republic of South Sudan continued to deteriorate, with the Permanent Ceasefire severely compromised by repeated clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army–In Opposition (SPLA-IO), along with their allied forces,” the report said.
The report, prepared pursuant to Article 7.9 of the R-ARCSS, said heightened political tension persisted during the reporting period, including the continued house arrest of the First Vice President (FVP), Dr. Riek Machar, and Chairperson of SPLM/A-IO and detention of other high-ranking SPLM/A-IO members.
“This only serves to deepen mistrust am ong key parties to the R-ARCSS and undermine confidence of the people of South Sudan, the region and international community on the commitment of the parties to the implementation of the Agreement in letter and spirit,” said the report.
“Additionally, unilateral dismissals and appointments undertaken without the requisite consultations and/or consensus among the peace partners, constituted clear breaches of the letter and spirit of the responsibility-sharing arrangements under the governance chapter of the R-ARCSS, further eroding trust and undermining its implementation,” it added.
The 16-page report continues that despite extensive high-level diplomatic efforts by regional and international actors, no significant breakthrough has been achieved in resolving the political and security impasse in the country.
“Further, the absence of direct dialogue between the leadership of the Parties, particularly between the Incumbent Transitional Government of National Unity (ITGoNU) and the SPLM/A-IO, reflects deeper underlying mistrust and unresolved grievances that continue to hinder effective implementation of the R-ARCSS,” the report notes.
Nonetheless, RJMEC welcomes continued diplomatic interventions as important gestures of political goodwill, aimed at encouraging the country’s leaders to prioritize the aspirations of ordinary citizens for peace, dignity, and security to be at the core of all political discussions and interventions.
Among its recommendations, RJMEC urges that the transitional government to resolve the issues surrounding the house arrest of Dr. Riek Machar and other SPLM/A-IO leaders currently in detention pursuant to the Communiqué of the 1283rd Meeting of the AUPSC, and ensure the functionality of all the Agreement implementation institutions and mechanisms, especially the Transitional Security Mechanisms.
“In order to kickstart this process there must be a restoration of trust, which necessarily involves releasing of the SPLM/A-IO detainees and restoring full and inclusive participation of all parties in the various Agreement Institutions and Mechanisms,” it said.
The full report: https://bit.ly/4f5nrDd
ENDS
PRESS RELEASE
(FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION)
Thursday, 8 May 2025 , Juba, South Sudan
AUMISS, IGAD, UNMISS and RJMEC (the Quartet) call on South Sudan leaders to cease hostilities, urgently resume dialogue to progress R-ARCSS implementationThe AUMISS, IGAD, UNMISS and RJMEC (the Quartet) are increasingly concerned by the rapid deterioration of the political and security situation across South Sudan. The Quartet calls on the country’s leaders to cease hostilities immediately and return to dialogue to progress the inclusive implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
Ongoing air and ground attacks are leading to an alarming loss of life, property and civilian displacement, even as ethnically polarizing rhetoric and hate speech are rising. The targeting of humanitarian facilities is also unacceptable and must stop.
These escalations are fast eroding the confidence of communities and peace partners on the sincerity of the promisemade by the Parties not to return this country to war.
Against this complex backdrop, we commend the recent high-level joint visit to South Sudan by the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). Their continued involvement not only reaffirms regional and continental solidarity in support of lasting peace and stability in South Sudan but, crucially, underscores the pressing need for collective action to address the escalating crisis. The Quartet also appreciates the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation for initiating and facilitating this visit, which will, hopefully, lead to outcomes that prioritize peace.
The Quartet further encourages the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) to swiftly investigate, verify and report on recent violence. Those responsible must be held to account to restore public trust and prevent such incidents from happening again. We urge all stakeholders in South Sudan to fully collaborate with CTSAMVM in facilitating impartial and thorough investigations.
The Quartet firmly believe that there is no military solution to the conflict in this country and encourage the leadership
to recommit to a transparent, consensus-driven and collaborative approach for lasting peace. They must reinvigorate
visibly stalled peace implementation by addressing all grievances through an inclusive political dialogue. This can be achieved through the release of the First Vice President, other SPLM/A-IO officials and members currently under detention, and the creation of an enabling environment to reconvene and resource inclusive institutions and mechanisms provided for under the R-ARCSS. The various institutions and mechanisms must adhere to the letter and spirit of the Revitalized Peace Agreement by actioning the completion of outstanding benchmarks. These steps are essential if South Sudan is to hold free, fair and credible elections at the end of this extended transitional period.
Finally, the AUMISS, IGAD, UNMISS and RJMEC remain optimistic that South Sudan’s leaders will marshal the sense of common purpose that united them during their struggle for independence, overcome current mistrust and challenges, and, once again, jointly pursue a peaceful transition.
END.
Communication Office
PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Publication)
Sunday, 4 May 2025 Juba, South Sudan
RJMEC STRONGLY CONDEMNS ATTACK ON CIVILIANS AND MSF MEDICAL FACILITY IN OLD FANGAK, JONGLEI STATE, LEADING TO DEATHS, DESTRUCTION
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) strongly condemns the attack on a market and a medical facilty belonging to the Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Old Fangak, Jonglei State, on Saturday 3rd May 2025.
The aerial assault reportedly resulted in the loss of lives, injuries and destruction of vital infrasture and crucial medical supplies. According to MSF, at least seven individuals were killed and scores wounded during the early morning attack.
Sadly, this latest incident is yet another escalation and a setback to the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS),which has suffered from repeated gross violations in recent weeks.
RJMEC reminds the Parties to the Agreement that the R-ARCSS explicitly prohibits any attacks on unarmed civilians and humanitarian agencies. Such violent actions not only breach the terms of the Agreement but also undermine ongoing efforts to build lasting peace and stability through constructive and inclusive political dialogue.
RJMEC therefore, urges the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) to expeditiously and thoroughly investigate the incident.
The Commission further calls on the relevant authorities to ensure CTSAMVM is granted full support, safe, and unhindered access to the affected area to carry out its mandate effectively. In this regard the Commission further appeals to United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to provide logistical support to CTSAMVM to effectively and efficiently complete the investigation.
Communication Office
PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Publication)
Monday, 28 April Juba, South Sudan
RJMEC RELEASES ITS LATEST QUARTERLY REPORT, SAYS IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT GROUND TO A HALT, AS PARTIES ENGAGED IN REPEATED VIOLATIONS
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has today released its Quarterly Report on the status of implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
In the report covering the 1st quatter of the year January – March 2024 and is prepared pursuant to Article 7.9 of the R-ARCSS, the Commission observed “repeated violations” of the Revitalised Agreement saying, “During the quarter, implementation of the Agreement ground to a halt, as the Parties engaged in repeated violations of the R-ARCSS and the political and security environment markedly worsened.”
The report continues, “In scenes not seen since the signing of the R-ARCSS over six years ago, armed conflict and violence erupted across the country, several high-ranking opposition members and Parliamentarians were detained and imprisoned and the First Vice President Dr Riek Machar Teny was put under house arrest.”
“In addition, ministerial positions at the state and national levels and those within the Presidency were reshuffled, and portfolios within some Agreement institutions and mechanisms were abandoned,” the report added. “In some parts of the country, civilians including women and children have borne the brunt of the fallout and have suffered serious human rights and humanitarian law violations including death, injury and displacement due to military operations and connected armed clashes.”
However, the Commission reiterates that the R-ARCSS remains the most viable framework to steer South Sudan towards the path of stability and prosperity, adding that the current political and security situation is fragile and highly volatile, posing a serious threat to the survivability of the R-ARCSS.
This is due to various factors, including:
· several weeks of armed violent clashes between forces of the SSPDF and SPLM/A-IO, both parties to the Revitalized Peace Agreement. These clashes are now spreading to several areas across the country, including reported attacks on some cantonment sites and training centres such as Luri, Rajaf, and Panyume, among others;
· arrest and continuous detention of some senior SPLM/A-IO political and military leaders who are integral to the implementation of the R-ARCSS and critical for its full implementation;
· removal and replacement of some opposition leaders from various portfolios at the national and state levels without consultation, consensus and compromise with the concerned Parties, as provided for in the R-ARCSS;
· abandonment of official portfolios, including that of some Agreement Institutions and Mechanisms by SPLM/-IO leaders and officials out of fear of being targeted for arrest and/or detention; and
· the inability of the leadership of the parties to dialogue and resolve the emerging security and political challenges within the framework of the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
These factors, the Commission says, have contributed to heightening of political tensions, and undermining of trust and confidence built between the peace partners over the six years of implementation, thereby potentially eroding all possibilities of implementing the R-ARCSS, especially at this critical time.
“It is worth noting that in this two-year extension of the Agreement, there are less than 20 months left to elections in December 2026.”
In its conclusion, the Commission underscores that, “the heightening of political and security tensions in South Sudan does not bode well for the sustaining of durable peace.” “Every effort must be made by the Parties to the Agreement to adhere strictly to the R-ARCSS and recommit themselves to the cause of peace. While the trust among the Parties has been seriously dented there remains some room for re-engagement and dialogue.”
“It is important that Parties resort back to strict adherence to the CoHA (Cessation of Hostilities Agreement), and the cardinal princples stipulated in Chapter II as well as undertake an immediate cessation of hostilities on all fronts”.
Also, “efforts must be stepped up to complete the unification of forces, unconditional release of those detained, and move forward with the Constitution-making process.”
THE FULL REPORT: https://bit.ly/42U9Xog
Communication Office
PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Publication)
Tuesday, 18 March 2025, Juba, South Sudan
THE CURRENT SITUATION IN SOUTH SUDAN IS DEEPLY CONCERNING
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) on Tuesday 18 March, 2025 addressed the 1265th African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC).
In his statement to the Council held virtually, RJMEC Chairperson, Amb. Maj. Gen. (rtd) George Owinow observed that the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) is facing the most serious challenges since its signing in September 2018.
In his statement, Amb. Gen. Owinow said reports in January and February this year of armed clashes involving forces belonging to Parties signatory to the Agreement in Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal States were followed by clashes in Nasir County, Upper Nile State.
“As a result, political tensions in Juba and around the country are heightened, and there is urgent need to prevent them from rising any further,” he said.
In his recommendations to the Council, Amb. Gen. Owinow reiterated the need for the leadership of the Parties to the R-ARCSS to desist from actions that may escalate tensions, undertake constructive dialogue, and to speak with one voice.
He called on the AU Peace and Security Council to prevail on the Parties to the Revitalised Peace Agreement to cease all actions that further undermine trust and confidence in the peace process, and reactivate the functioning of the security mechanisms.
Additionally, the Chairperson said, the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) should prioritise the completion of Phase I of the unification of forces and commence Phase II, as well as Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration (DDR), and proceed with the constitution-making process and preparations for the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in December 2026.
“Consider activating existing mechanisms in support of South Sudan, which could include the Panel of the Wise, to proactively engage with the Parties going forward in a spirit of dialogue and reconciliation,” General Owinow added.
ENDS
Communication Office
PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Publication)
Sunday, 09 Feb. 2025 Juba, South Sudan
RJMEC Condemns the deadly violence in Nasir County in Upper Nile State, calls for speedy investigation, accountability
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), strongly condemns the violence in Upper Nile State and the abhorrent March 7 attack on a United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) helicopter during an evacuation mission in Nasir County.
An UNMISS crew member and numerous members of forces belonging to the Parties to the Revitlised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) lost their lives, with many others sustaining serious injuries.
At the outset, RJMEC conveys condolences to all the bereaved families, following the unfortunate and avoidable act of violence. RJMEC calls upon all the Parties involved to immediately cease any further hostilities, give dialogue a chance and ensure calm is quickly restored.
In this regard, the Commission appeals to the Presidency of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) to take all necessary actions to further de-escalate the situation. The Commission further urges the Joint Defence Board (JDB) to deligently exercise its command and control functions and responsibilities over all the organised forces.
Additionally, the Commission urges to the National Transitional Committee (NTC) to expeditiously fastrack the unification and deployment of all forces to maintain peace throughout the country to avert the recurrence of such incidents in the future.
With barely two weeks into the extended Transitional Period, violations of the Permanent Ceasefire threatens the gains made over the past seven years since the Revitalized Peace Agreement was signed, and undermines confidence among South Sudan people, regional and international community.
Lastly, RJMEC asks the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), to undertake a verification mission to the area, and provide a detailed report with recommendations.
ENDS
Juba, 27 Feb. 25 2025: The African Union Mission in South Sudan (AUMISS), the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) are gravely concerned about ongoing tensions in Upper Nile State, as well as clashes involving forces of the signatory Parties to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) in Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal States.
Specifically, AUMISS, IGAD, UNMISS and RJMEC call upon the Parties to urgently work together through the established mechanisms of the R-ARCSS to de-escalate the situation in order to restore calm in Upper Nile State.
According to the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), the security situation in Upper Nile state in particular, has significantly deteriorated in past weeks. This has been heightened by the ongoing rotation of forces in Nasir, raising concerns about the likelihood of widespread violence.
AUMISS, IGAD, UNMISS and RJMEC, therefore, call upon the leadership of the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) and the Joint Defence Board (JDB) to work collegially, and swiftly remedy the persistent security concerns in all the three states. We caution that if left unaddressed, these incidents could potentially undermine the Permanent Ceasefire, which remains the cornerstone of the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
Lastly, we once again underscore the need to progress the full and rapid unification and urgent deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces to boost public faith and trust in the RTGoNU’s commitment to lasting peace and stability in South Sudan, at this critical time as the country commences the fourth extension of its ongoing Transitional Period.
[ENDS]
Communication Office
PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Publication)
Thursday, 20 February. 2025 Juba, South Suda
Outgoing RJMEC Chairperson to RTGoNU: No moment to waste, as the 24-month of the extended transitional period begins
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has on Thursday February 20, 2025, convened its 39th plenary meeting in Juba.
As the extended Transitional Period begins on Saturday, the outgoing RJMEC Interim Chairperson, Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai told the meeting:
“As we commence the 24 months of the extension, the elections date of December 2026 may seem distant. However, my assessment of the critical milestones required to lay ground for credible elections indicate that there is no moment to waste.”
As such, Amb. Gituai said, in his address, Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) needs “to demonstrate unprecedented sense of urgency to accomplish the critical pending tasks for the conduct of credible, peaceful, free and fair democratic elections.”
As you may recall, he told the meeting, the key tasks whose non-implementation necessitated the extension of the Transitional Period, include the unification and redeployment of forces, making of the permanent constitution and preparations for the conduct of credible elections.
‘As we meet here today, these tasks remain incomplete,” he said. Further, the outgoing RJMEC Chairperson appealed to the regional guarantors and international community to have a more accommodative approach that aligns with the need to do things differently as well, “in order to have South Sudan transit from perpetual extensions.”
In his conclusion, Amb. Gituai informed the RJMEC Members that this 39th plenary serves as his last, as his tour of duty comes to an end this month. “It has been four-and-half years since I took over as the Interim Chairperson of RJMEC. I thank all of you for the support and constructive engagements throughout my truly memorable years here,” he said.
“It has been a privilege and a humbling experience for me, to have had this opportunity of chairing such a meeting composed of senior stakeholders, diplomats, party leaders, government officials and security officers. Thank you for your cooperation and support. It has been a rich learning curve for me and I do not take it for granted,” he added.
At the same time, he introduced the incoming Chairperson, H.E. Amb. Maj Gen (rtd) George Aggrey Owinow, and wished him well, “as he steers RJMEC to the next level.”
“It is my conviction that R-ACRSS, remains the most transformative blueprint that would deliver this country to a democratic dispensation if implemented in letter and spirit,” he added.
ENDS
Communication Office
PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Publication)
9 February 2025, Juba, South Sudan
ARRIVAL OF NEW INTERIM CHAIRPERSON OF RECONSTITUTED JOINT MONITORING AND EVALUATION COMMISSION (RJMEC)
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) welcomes the appointment of the new RJMEC Interim Chairperson, Ambassador Major General (rtd) George Aggrey Owinow.
Amb Maj Gen Owinow was nominated by the Government of Kenya, and subsequently endorsed by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). He will succeed the outgoing Chairperson Ambassador Major General (rtd) Charles Tai Gituai, who served in the same capacity since August 2020.
Amb Maj Gen Owinow has had a distinguished military and diplomatic career spanning more than four decades, serving in different security and diplomatic missions in Africa.
Amb Maj Gen Owinow brings with him recent experience as Kenya’s High Commissioner to the Republic of Uganda (2020-2022), and as Deputy Force Commander for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) (2019-2020).
With just two weeks to the beginning of the extended Transitional Period, his arrival comes at an important juncture of the R-ARCSS, where a range of critical pending tasks need to be implemented to pave the way for elections in December 2026.
ENDS
Communication Office
PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Publication)
Wednesday February 5, 2025, New York, United States
R-ARCSS Implementation: Funding, demonstration of political will required, “with a sense of urgency”, amid security concerns
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) on Wednesday, 5 February, 2025, addressed the 9855th sitting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), in New York.
Giving a detailed status of the implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), RJMEC Interim Chairperson, Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai said:
“With the extended Transitional Period due to begin in just over two weeks, key immediate requirements are the demonstration of political will and provision of funding for the Agreement institutions and mechanisms.”
Also required “with a sense of urgency” he said, are the harmonisation of the work plans of the National Elections Commission (NEC) and National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC), and completion of the unification of forces.”
In terms of the Permanent Ceasefire and the Transitional Security Arrangements, Amb. Gituai reported that “recent skirmishes in Western Equatoria State between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and SPLM/A-IO over the removal of illegal checkpoints are concerning” adding that the Ceasefire & Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring & Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) has been tasked to investigate and forward the report to RJMEC.
He added, “Persistent levels of intercommunal violence in some parts of the country continue to create disruption, and anxiety and is unsettling.”
On the ongoing Tumaini process in Nairobi, Kenya, Amb. Gituai said: “The people of South Sudan are looking forward to a positive outcome of these talks and hoping that it will bring practical and enhanced transformative approaches in addressing the root causes of conflict, and will hasten the implementation of the Peace Agreement.”
In his conclusion, Amb. Gituai appealed to the Council to remain seized of the peace process in South Sudan, as it enters critical phase of the extended transitional period, and to encourage the international community to mobilise resources and political support to help South Sudan conduct its first democratic elections in December 2026.
Communication Office
PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Publication)
Wednesday, 20 November, 2024, Juba, South Sudan
RJMEC PRESENTS STATUS OF R-ARCSS REPORT TO SOUTH SUDAN LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, SAYS IT CANNOT BE BUSINESS AS USUAL
The Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) has today Wednesday 20th, 2024 presented its quarterly report on the status of implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) to the reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly (R-TNLA).
Following the extension of the Transitional Period by 24 months last September, RJMEC Chairperson Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai told the members of the Assembly that there is “need for a sense of urgency, prioritization, focus and deliberate demonstration of practical implementation of the Agreement tasks within timelines.”
While giving Chapter-by-Chapter updates on the status of implementation of the R-ARCSS, Amb. Gituai said: “I would like to underscore that two years is a very short time and it cannot be business as usual and much remains to be done if free, fair and credible elections have to be conducted by December 2026, under a permanent constitution as envisaged in the Agreement.”
Having agreed to a two-year extension of the Peace Agreement, the Chairperson added, it is imperative that the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU), the TNLA and all other stakeholders work to complete the pending tasks of the Agreement, particularly, those related to the Permanent Constitution-making, electoral preparations, unification of the forces, and transitional justice.
“At the same time, further opening up of civic and political space cannot be overemphasised, in order to provide an enabling environment for political participation by the general public, especially in the constitution-making and election processes.”
In his briefing given pursuant to Article 7.9 of the Revitalised Peace Agreement, Amb. Gitaui urged the Assembly to enhance its effectiveness in discharging its oversight responsibility and to prevail on the RTGoNU to adhere to the agreed implementation schedule, provide funding and ensure accountable and transparent utilisation of allocated resources.
Additionally, the Chairperson called on the Parties to the Agreement to embrace the Tumaini Initiative as a means of bringing in the holdout groups, in the spirit of compromise, inclusivity, forgiveness and reconciliation for the purpose of enhancing a united, peaceful and prosperous society based on justice, equality and respect for human rights and the rule of law.
In his conclusion he called on the Parties to the revitalized Peace Agreement to continue engaging in dialogue during this critical period of the extension with a view to implementing the critical outstanding tasks.