South Sudan’s peace monitor decries slow implementation of pre-transitional tasks

   JUBA, Jan. 28  -- South Sudan peace monitors on Tuesday expressed concern over the slow pace of implementation of the pre-transitional tasks due to delayed funding and lack of effective coordination of the agreement implementing mechanisms.
   Augostino Njoroge, Interim Chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) said the implementing agreement mechanisms were lagging behind the schedule.
   "Funds were not availed to the implementing mechanisms until the December 17, 2019, 35 days into the 100 days extension," Njoroge said in a statement issued in Juba.
   He said despite the mobilization of troops to cantonment sites and training centers, the implementing agreement mechanisms have not performed as expected.
   Njoroge urged regional blocs to lobby the government in Juba to provide the funds necessary for the implementation of the outstanding pre-Transitional tasks to ensure the formation of the transitional government of national unity by mid-Feb.
   The number of states and boundaries including the security arrangements are critical tasks pending the formation of the transitional government of national unity, causing the parties to delay the formation of a new government last year by an additional 100 days to avoid a return to war.
   South Sudan descended into civil war in late 2013 and the conflict has created one of the fastest-growing refugee crises in the world. Xinhua