RJMEC Chair,
Excellencies and Distinguished Guests,

I thank the RJMEC for the opportunity to brief you today.

Since our last meeting, President Kiir in his statement on Martyrs’ Day acknowledged that the country is at a critical phase in the consolidation of peace. I welcome the President’s emphasis on the parties to work together to complete the transitional period through elections in 2024; on time and without further extensions of the Revitalised Peace Agreement.

I acknowledge the multi-party discussions on the draft national budget, including the budget for the elections. I also note the increased internal preparations and engagements by the political parties and recent contingency planning for electoral security arrangements by the national police.

I also note the recent activities of the Government-Trilateral Joint Task Force for the Implementation of the Constitution-Making and Electoral Processes.  On 27 July, the AU, IGAD, and UNMISS presented to the Joint Task Force a list of priority issues related to elections that need the parties’ immediate consideration and decision.

Excellencies,

Despite the growing calls for elections in the public domain, we are concerned about the lack of progress in key electoral and constitutional benchmarks. As it stands, the conditions for South Sudan to hold elections are not in place yet. There is an urgent need for the adoption of the National Elections Act by the RTNLA, the reconstitution of the National Constitutional Review Commission, the National Elections Commission, and the Political Parties Council. 2023 is a critical ‘make or break’ year for free, fair, and credible elections in 2024.

With less than four months left in 2023, all parties to the Peace Agreement are therefore urgently requested to demonstrate their political will by expediting the implementation of key outstanding benchmarks of the Roadmap. Political will, pragmatism, and leadership are paramount.

The Transitional Security Arrangements are behind schedule and the latest call by the Presidency directing the immediate deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces and the commencement of Phase II is a welcome development. It goes without saying that the security of the country before, during, and after the elections is non-negotiable.

The Agreement mechanisms continue to face funding constraints. We encourage the transitional government to implement its commitments and provide the required funding to allow these mechanisms to complete their tasks.