Detailed Timeline – 2016
2016
The 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS) called for a ceasefire to begin 72 hours after signing the agreement. Within the deadline, both leaders from the government and opposition declared a ceasefire. However, sporadic fighting resumed throughout 2015 and 2016.
Demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration remained delayed; no significant progress towards these objectives was made in 2016.
The ARCSS called for the creation of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) within 90 days of signing the agreement. Though establishing this board was delayed, it was formed and inaugurated on February 1, 2016.[1]
The ARCSS called for the immediate release of all prisoners of war and child soldiers. The implementation process was delayed and did not occur in 2015, but 145 child soldiers were released in October 2016. [2]
The ARCSS dictated that a Constitutional Amendment Bill should be drafted within twenty one days of signing the agreement to incorporate the ARCSS into the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan (TCRSS). Though the National Constitution Amendment Committee began deliberating bills in 2015, none were drafted until February 9. However, by February 21, the NCAC suspended its operations.[3]
The ARCSS further called for the establishment of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) within 90 days of signing the agreement. The TGoNU’s formation was delayed until April 29, 2016, when it was officially inaugurated. [4]
The formation of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) was scheduled to begin within the pre-Transition period, or within 90 days of signing the agreement. Serious movement towards the creation of the TNLA did not occur until 2016, and it was inaugurated on August 15.[5] The appointment of the body’s speaker was not delayed, and occurred with the inauguration of the TNLA in accordance with the agreement.
The ARCSS called for electoral reform by amendment of the Political Parties Act 2012 and National Elections Act 2012 within 6 months of signing. No such amendments occurred in 2016.
The ARCSS stipulated the establishment of the 3-5 year Strategic Economic Development Roadmap within 9 months of signing the agreement. This was not established in accordance with the timeline.
The 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan called for the creation of a Compensation and Reparation Authority and Compensation Reparation Fund to compensate citizens who were affected by the conflict between the SPLM/A and SPLM/A-IO within 6 months of signing the agreement. No progress towards the development of either body was observed in 2016.
The ARCSS stipulated that the TGoNU initiate legislation for the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing upon inception. Although the TGoNU was inaugurated on April 29, 2016, this institution was not established in 2016.
Unification of armies was scheduled to occur within 18 months of signing the agreement. On August 17, Vice President Taban Deng Gai pledged that government and opposition troops would be unified before the end of May, 2017.[6] On August 20, over 6,000 SPLM/A-IO soldiers joined the government army.[7]
The ARCSS delineated a timeline for natural resource management reform implementation. The TGoNU was scheduled to implement the Petroleum Revenue Management Act within 3 months of the transition period, close unauthorized petroleum revenue accounts within 3 months of the transition period and check and record all loans and contracts related to petroleum within 6 months. No progress towards these objectives occurred in 2016.
The ARCSS called for the immediate release of all prisoners of war. No prisoner releases were reported in 2015. On May 20, the council of ministers in South Sudan issued a statement committing to release over 200 prisoners of war, including 59 opposition forces detained by the government and 165 government forces detained by the SPLM/A-IO.[8]
[1] “Strategic Defence and Security Review Board Inaugural Meeting,” Strategic Defence and Security Review, February 1, 2016.
[2] “Oer 16,000 children still with armed groups in South Sudan: UNICEF,” Xinhua General News Service, November 9, 2016.
[3] “Report of the Secretary-General on South Sudan (covering the period from 3 February to 31 March 2016),” UN Security Council, April 13, 2016.
[4] “Report of the Secretary-General on South Sudan (covering the period from 1 April to 3 June 2016),” UN Security Council, June 20, 2016.
[5] “Report of the Secretary-General on South Sudan (covering the period from 12 August to 25 October 2016),” UN Security Council, November 10, 2016.
[6] “South Sudan says rival forces will be merged by May 2017,” Xinhua General News Service, August 17, 2016.
[7] “Over 6000 South Sudan rebel fighters defect to government army,” BBC Monitoring Africa, August 22, 2016.
[8] “South Sudan to release more than 200 prisoners of war,” BBC Monitoring Africa, May 21, 2016