JUBA, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan's peace monitors said on Friday there has been some positive progress by the warring parties in the formation of key structures to support implementation of a peace agreement signed recently to end over four years of conflict.
A status update issued in South Sudan by the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) on the implementation of the recently signed revitalized agreement said some deadlines have been met while others have been missed.
"Activities implemented include nominations and appointment of the National Pre-Transitional Committee (NPTC), which was constituted by the president of South Sudan on Tuesday, the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements (PCTSA) workshop, and several declarations of commitment to the revitalized peace agreement by the parties," it said.
The JMEC said progress has been made in confidence building, through declarations by the parties, celebration to mark the signing of the revitalized agreement, dialogue between the party leaders and invitations extended to all opposition leaders to visit Juba.
President Salva Kiir recently invited all opposition members, including Riek Machar, the leader of the main rebel group the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army-in opposition (SPLM/A-IO), to visit Juba to build trust and confidence.
The peace monitors noted that the ongoing pre-transitional activities include ratification of the agreement by the leadership of the various parties, the dissemination of the signed revitalized agreement by the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), preparation for the urgent actions required from the mediation to kick-start the implementation of the agreement, and reconstitution of the various boards and commissions of the agreement.
However, it also noted that while the deadlines for the appointment of the National Pre-Transitional Committee (NPTC) and the convening of the PCTSA workshop, and reconstitution of the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) board have been adhered to, others have been missed.
"Deadlines missed include the ratification of revitalized agreement by the Transitional National Legislature (TNL), the reconstitution of the National Constitution Amendment Committee (NCAC), reconstitution of JMEC, the formation of the Joint Defense Board, and the release of all prisoners of war and political detainees," it said.
The warring parties resumed intermittent fighting a few days after the signing of the agreement, with clashes taking place in the northern Unity region, Wau, and in the Yei River state.
The clashes were condemned by the international community, which has been hesitant of late to support the revitalized agreement due to fears that it may collapse, just like several previous agreements.
The JMEC urged the parties to give due consideration to gender and age representation in selecting their nominees to the various bodies and to expedite the process of reconstituting and establishing them.
"The parties should adhere to the provisions of the permanent ceasefire, and hold violators accountable. The revitalized agreement should also be widely disseminated by the parties and all stakeholders, and the revitalized agreement should be ratified by the TNL," it added.
South Sudan descended into conflict in December 2013.
The conflict has also displaced about 4 million people, both internally and externally, fuelling Africa's biggest refugee crisis, with over 2 million refugees living in neighboring countries like Uganda, Kenya, Sudan and Ethiopia.
