Reintegration: R-ARCSS
Implementations
Reintegration – 2018
Under R-ARCSS, following disengagement and cantonment, all former combatants were to be screened for eligibility for the police, military, or other national security forces. Ineligible combatants would be referred to the demobilization, disarmament, and reintegration (DDR) process.
The JMEC’s overview report covering implementation through December 31, 2018, noted that the DDR commission had not been formed and did not mention reintegration.[1]
[1] “Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) seventh meeting,” Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, January 19, 2019.
Reintegration – 2019
The SPLM/A-IO, SSPDF, and SSOA signed an agreement on February 5th 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 17th, 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.
Reintegration – 2020
The RJMEC, in its June report, 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.[1] The DDR Commission was not able to deploy field coordination officers partly related to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] The DDR program was not initiated.
[1] “RJMEC quarterly report to IGAD on the status of the implementation of R-ARCSS from 1st April to 30th June, 2020,” Report No.7. Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, July 15, 2020.
[2] “RJMEC quarterly report to IGAD on the status of the implementation of R-ARCSS from 1st April to 30th June, 2020,” Report No.7. Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, July 15, 2020.
Reintegration – 2021
The RJMEC, in its fourth quarter report, noted little to no progress in the DDR program.
Reintegration – 2022
In its fourth-quarter report, the RJMEC noted little to no progress in the DDR program. The DDR Commission’s submitted strategy, implementation plan, and proposed budget are yet to be approved by the RTGoNU.[1]
[1] RJMEC report 014/2022; 015/2022; 016/2022; 017/2023.
Reintegration – 2023
The DDR Commission’s submitted strategy, implementation plan, and proposed budget are yet to be approved by the RTGoNU.[1] Reports suggest that the DDR commission was not able advance the process of reintegrating disqualified combatants for the NUF.[2]
[1] RJMEC report 014/2022; 015/2022; 016/2022; 017/2023.
[2] RJMEC. 2023. On The Status of Implementation of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. Report No. 018/23 (April 2023), Report No. Report No. 020/23 (October 2023).