The RJMEC noted no significant progress specific to the DDR process. However, it was reported that the DDR (Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration) Commission submitted its strategy and policy document to the National Transitional Coordination Committee (NTC), but the RTGoNU has yet to make its decision.^[1]

[1] On the Status of Implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (1^st July to 30th September 2021). Report no. 013/21. Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC). 20 October 2022;  On the Status of Implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (1^st October to 31^st  December 2021). Report no. 013/21. Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC). 2 February 2022.

In its June 9th report, the CTSAMVM suggested 75,000 registrations at cantonment sites and an additional 3,500 registrations outside. The Joint Military Ceasefire Commission (JMCC) suggested registering 18,732 Government and Other Organized Forces. The CTSAMVM reported a lack of resources to support the cantonment sites that were on the verge of collapse and risk approximately 35,000 combatants returning to their communities without the DDR process.^[1] The RJMEC, in its report, also noted the continued neglect of cantonment sites by the RTGoNU and asked for more support as the cantoned combatants and cantonment sites wait for the next phase.^[2] The DDR Commission was not able to deploy field coordination officers partly related to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[3]

^[1] “Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) Technical Committee Meeting, June 9,” Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, June 18, 2020 .

^[2] “RJMEC quarterly report to IGAD on the status of the implementation of R-ARCSS from 1^st April to 30^th  June, 2020,” Report No.7. Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, July 15, 2020.

^[3] “RJMEC quarterly report to IGAD on the status of the implementation of R-ARCSS from 1^st April to 30^th  June, 2020,” Report No.7. Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, July 15, 2020.

The SPLM/A-IO, SSPDF, and SSOA signed an agreement on February 5^th establishing 25 cantonment sites to begin the DDR Process.^[1] On May 2, 2019, the interim chair of the RJMEC stated that “my greatest concern is the delayed operationalization of the cantonment sites, despite my repeated appeal to the Parties to expedite this process. To my knowledge, as I speak, there is not a single cantonment site that is operational.”^[2] In June, the CTSAMVM began evaluating the proposed cantonment sites and noted logistical issues such as a lack of food, shelter, and medicine.^[3] The CTSAMVM report from September 5 noted that “the cantonment process remains slow.”^[4] On September 18, Special Representative David Shearer reported to the Security Council that government and opposition troops had reported to the cantonment sites and that the troops had begun to be registered.^[5] Shearer and the CTSAMVM both noted continued logistical shortfalls. President Kiir appointed the DDR commission required by the agreement in September; however, the body did not begin its work in 2019.^[6] On December 17^th, the interim chair of the RJMEC reported that “no screening, no selection and no training (of the new unified armed forces) has taken place.”^[7]

^[1] “South Sudan peace partners agree on cantonment sites,” Radio Tamazuj, archived from the original on https://web.archive.org/web/20190207205358/https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/south-sudan-peace-partners-agree-on-cantonment-sites

^[2] “Meeting of the parties to the R-ARCSS held in Addis,” Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, May 2, 2019, https://jmecsouthsudan.org/index.php/press-release/item/441-meeting-of-the-parties-to-the-r-arcss-held-in-addis

^[3] “Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) eleventh meeting,” Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, June 11, 2019.

^[4] “Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) fourteenth meeting,” Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, September 5, 2019.

^[5] “Statement of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General David Shearer Briefing to the Security Council on South Sudan,” United Nations Mission in South Sudan, September 18, 2019.

^[6] “Kiir reconstitutes DDR Commission,” Radio Tamazuj, September 12, 2019.

^[7] “Implementation of the Pre-Transitional period to improve with availability of funds,” Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, December 17, 201.

The R-ARCSS signatories agreed to canton their forces within thirty days of signing in order to reintegrate or demobilize and disarm armed groups. The parties agreed to reconstitute the Disarmament, Demobilization, and Re-Integration (DDR) Commission within thirty days.

The JMEC’s overview report covering implementation through December 31, 2018, noted that the DDR commission had not been formed and that demobilization had not begun.^[1]

^[1] “On the status of implementation on the resolution of the conflict in the Republic of South Sudan,” Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, January 26, 2019.

The R-ARCSS seeks a people-led permanent constitution, and the NCRC includes a broad range of representations, including ethnic minorities. While the constitution has yet to be drafted and address issues specific to cultural protection, the appointment of ethnic minorities as NCRC members is going in the right direction.^[1]

[1] RJMEC. 2024. On The Status of Implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. Report No. 021/23 (January 2024).

The permanent constitution-making process is required to respect “ethnic and regional diversity and communal rights, including the right of communities to preserve their history, develop their language, promote their culture and expression of their identities.” As a permanent constitution-making process has yet to be fully initiated, no further information is available on issues related to cultural protection.

As a permanent constitution-making process has yet to be initiated, no further information is available on issues related to cultural protection.

As a permanent constitution-making process has yet to be initiated, no further information is available on issues related to cultural protection.

No progress observed in 2019.

One of the guiding principles for the constitution writing process was “the right of communities to preserve their history, develop their language, promote their culture and (express) their identities.”

No progress observed in 2018.