Expedite implementation of security sector reforms, parties urged

Juba, South Sudan,

December 13, 2021 – Members of South Sudan Council of States assembly legislators have appealed to parties to the revitalized peace agreement to speed up the implementation of the security sector reforms, constitutional making processes as well as  population census.

The call came at the end of a three-day training organized by the Center for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice (CIGPJ) in partnership with the United Nation Mission in Sudan (UNMISS) and South Sudan Women Empowerment Network (SSWEN) for about 60 Council of States lawmakers.

The training aimed at identifying and analyzing key priorities for Council of States in the implementation of the peace deal, including governance structures, constitution development, transitional justice, censors and elections. It equipped Council of States MPs with leadership, mediation, negotiations, advocacy, communication and networking skills

Speaking at the closure of the training in the capital, Juba on Saturday, the deputy speaker of the Council of States, Mary Ayen Majok, lauded the lawmakers for the resilience demonstrated during the training.

“The Center for Inclusive Governance Peace and Justice should conduct more of such similar trainings involving participation of all members of the Council of States,” she said.

Held under the theme, “Capacity Strengthening for Sustainable Peace”, the training attracted lawmakers, partners, legal, gender, communication and political science experts.

Jackline Nasiwa, the Executive Director for CIGPJ, lauded the Council of State lawmakers for coming up with concreted resolutions at the end of the three-day training.

“Members of the Council of States, the lower house of the assembly, play critical roles in the implementation of the peace deal,” she said.

Nasiwa, however, stressed that roles of Council of State members in the peace agreement implementation should be clearly spelt out.

Aldo Ajou Deng, a Council of States lawmaker, said they are committed to the implementation of the revitalized peace accord.

“The parties to the revitalized peace agreement should involve the participation of the Council of State members in the implementation of the peace deal,” he remarked.

The group also appealed to all parties to the revitalized peace agreement to clearly define the role of Council of States members in the implementation of the accord that ended nearly five-years of civil war.

The Council of States was established in 2011 by South Sudan’s interim constitution. The reconstituted assembly currently consists of 100 legislators.

Meanwhile, Council of States lawmakers adopted the following resolutions;

1. Appealed to all parties to the Revitalized Peace Agreement to reaffirm their commitments and exert more efforts to fully implement the Agreement to its Letter and Spirit.

2. Called upon parties to the agreement and RJMEC to Clearly define the roles and responsibilities of the Council of States in the implementation of the Peace Agreement.

3. Appealed to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to introduce all the bills stipulated in the Agreement before the Legislature for prompt deliberations and timely enactments.

4. Urged parties to ensure that the constitutional making process is inclusive and participatory by involving the Council of States at all stages.

5. The Council of States reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring equal distribution of resources and eradication of corruption as these are some of the issues that have continues to affect the country since independence.

6. Requested our regional and international partners to continue supporting the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement unconditionally.

7. Called upon our communities to peacefully co-exist and request the governments at all levels to ensure that there is peace and security in all our states.

8. Appealed to all the parties to the agreement to fulfil the 35% Quotas Affirmative Action for women as provided for in the Agreement

9. Called upon our humanitarian partners to continue and scale up their support to our flood affected communities across the country.