East African bloc designates new chair to oversee peace efforts in South Sudan
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Synopsis
On February 10, IGAD appointed George Aggrey Owinow from Kenya as the new chair of the RJMEC to lead peace monitoring in South Sudan, highlighting the urgency of implementing pending tasks for the upcoming elections in December 2026.
Key Takeaways
- George Aggrey Owinow appointed as RJMEC chair.
- Timely appointment amid crucial peace agreement phase.
- Focus on securing funding for critical tasks.
- Rising violence in Eastern Equatoria State.
- UNMISS calls for restraint among conflicting parties.
Juba, Feb 10 (NationPress) The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional bloc in East Africa, has officially approved George Aggrey Owinow from Kenya as the new chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), the body responsible for overseeing peace in South Sudan.
Owinow, a retired major-general, received his nomination from the Kenyan government and was subsequently confirmed by IGAD, taking over from Charles Tai Gituai, who has held the position since August 2020, according to a statement from the RJMEC released in Juba.
According to the statement, Owinow's appointment is timely, coinciding with a crucial phase of the revitalized peace agreement where several essential tasks remain to be completed ahead of the elections scheduled for December 2026.
The RJMEC highlighted Owinow's extensive military and diplomatic experience, which spans over 40 years, including roles in various security and diplomatic operations across Africa. He served as Kenya's High Commissioner to Uganda from 2020 to 2022 and was the deputy force commander for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) from 2019 to 2020, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Furthermore, the RJMEC has urged for increased efforts to secure the necessary funding to expedite the implementation of critical tasks, one of which is the unification of forces to adhere to the new extended deadline for elections in December 2026.
In its most recent Quarterly Report published on January 21, the RJMEC stated that the ruling unity government must exhibit political will and dedication to addressing the numerous challenges and establishing a foundation for enduring and sustainable peace in South Sudan.
The situation remains tense, as the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has raised alarms regarding the rising violence between pastoralists and farming communities in Eastern Equatoria State, which has reportedly resulted in at least 35 fatalities.
Nicholas Haysom, the special representative of the UN Secretary-General and head of UNMISS, vehemently condemned the persistent violence and urged all involved parties to exercise restraint.
