By Matik Kueth
The Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC), Amb. Maj. Gen. George Aggrey Owinow has emphasized the urgent need for political parties to engage in dialogue in what he described as a ‘critical period’ in the peace process, to address mounting delays and advance the implementation of the R-ARCSS.
While presenting the Commission’s quarterly report to lawmakers on Tuesday, Owinow stressed that only through inclusive and collaborative engagement will the country be able to navigate and successfully implement the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
“The Parties should engage in a constructive dialogue during this critical period. to create an inclusive environment for the implementation of the pending tasks of the R-ARCSS,” Maj. Gen. Owinow said.
He stated that much of the roadmap laid out in the R-ARCSS has either progressed minimally or been eclipsed by events.
“The current context of implementation of the R-ARCSS has significantly changed. A number of the tasks and issues identified therein may either have progressed or already been overtaken by events,” he stated.
The report is the first formal briefing to the RTNLA since November 2024, due to a protracted legislative recess.
During that period, RJMEC submitted three quarterly reports without the opportunity for engagement with lawmakers, despite the obligation under Article 7.9, Chapter 7 of the R-ARCSS to present updates to the legislature.
“Permit me from the onset to state on record that the RJMEC last briefed this august House on 19th November 2024,” Owinow stressed, referencing the 3rd Quarterly Report that covered July to September 2024.
The latest report comes at a time when the transitional government is facing increasing pressure to fulfill key provisions of the 2018 peace agreement, particularly with general elections scheduled for December 2025.
Although a revised peace roadmap was officially adopted in mid-2022, many critical milestones remain unmet. These include finishing the permanent constitution, completing the training and deployment of unified forces, and re-establishing essential electoral bodies like the National Elections Commission (NEC) and the Political Parties Council (PPC), despite the NTC’s statement that the second phase of unified forces will start on September 1, 2025.
The peace monitor’s warnings align with rising frustration among civil society groups and international partners, who have repeatedly raised concerns about stagnation, political inertia, and a lack of transparency in the peace process, as Dr. Machar and other political detainees remain under house arrest.
The R-JMEC chair’s call for urgency follows remarks by President Salva Kiir Mayardit during the reopening of the National Legislature on July 16, 2025, where he warned lawmakers against complacency and emphasized the limited time remaining for action. While Kiir reaffirmed his government’s commitment to a peaceful and democratic transition, the lack of fully operational electoral bodies and increasing tensions among signatory parties have worsened public doubt over whether elections can be conducted freely and fairly.
Owinow added that the Commission expects to present the remaining two studies for January–March and April–June 2025 shortly, as RJMEC has only officially submitted one of its recent three reports to the TNLA so far.