The timelines for South Sudan’s roadmap are far behind schedule and thus the need to expedite the process ahead of elections due later this year, the peace monitoring body (RJMEC) said.

Speaking at an induction workshop in Juba on Monday, the RJMEC chairperson, Amb. Maj. Gen. Charles Tai Gituai underlined the critical importance of the permanent constitution under the revitalised peace agreement in “anchoring lasting stability, a peaceful transition and good governance.”

“There is no doubt that the Permanent Constitution, when made in an inclusive and participatory manner, will go a long way in addressing all the root causes of conflicts in this country,” Gituai explained.

He added, “I would like to first congratulate all of you upon being entrusted with this enormous and consequential responsibility”.

The chairperson of RJMEC appealed to the newly reconstituted National Constitutional Review Commission (RNCRC) “to live up to its expectations” and discharge its mandate as per the Revitalised Peace Agreement, and the Permanent Constitution Making Process Act 2022.

He further called on the Commission to “swiftly consider and adopt practical rules of procedure, endorse the draft budget, and action plan, as well as agree on a practical strategy to immediately commence civic education and robust public consultation campaigns, to promote public debate and awareness on critical constitutional issues.”

The constitution making process, RJMEC said, is crucial given that the provisions of the permanent constitution are expected to guide the conduct of elections at the end of the transitional period in December