On 17 and 18 July, UNOAU supported and participated in a Consultative Meeting on Strategic Priorities and Guidelines on Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) and Security Sector Transformation/Reform (SST/SSR) in Juba, South Sudan. The meeting was organised by the African Union Mission in South Sudan (AUMISS), in close collaboration with the African Union (AU) Commission and in consultation with the Government of South Sudan, including the Strategic Defence and Security Review Board (SDSRB). Upon request of the Government of South Sudan, the AU Commission deployed a DDR/SSR consultant who focused on providing strategic analysis and technical support to the Government. The consultant addressed strategic issues related to the operationalization of the DDR and SST/SSR processes in line with the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

The objective of the Consultative Meeting was to validate the identified strategic guidelines and to share the AU DDR and SSR Operational Guidance Notes with key national stakeholders before the formal submission of the priorities to the Government. The participants included representatives of the SDSRB, different ministries, civil society organisations, women’s organisations, and academia. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) was also represented. During the opening session, the Minister of Interior of South Sudan and Chair of the SDSRB, Angelina Teny, mentioned that prioritising SSR and DDR as tools for ensuring transformation is important and that the meeting helps to identify gaps in understanding security. She emphasized the need to address security not in isolation but within a broader context of constitution-making. The AUMISS representative highlighted that to promote security sector governance in South Sudan, peace, security and development must reinforce each other. The Minister of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism, Rezik Zechariah Hassan, mentioned that he is looking forward to transforming the Ministry, as wildlife and security areas require specific knowledge.

The AU shared an overview of the existing regional policies and guidelines on DDR, SSR, and small and light weapons, including the Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development Policy. The SDSRB provided insights into its past work and ongoing activities. The AU consultant shared observations on the R-ARCSS, the Security Sector Review and Needs Assessment, the National Security Sector Legal Framework, and the National Strategic Vision Framework related to issues such as SSR, DDR, Community Violence Reduction and arms control. Issues such as gender mainstreaming, security sector governance and oversight mechanisms, coordination, budgeting, resource mobilization and capacity building were also discussed. The consultant provided recommendations, which were discussed with the participants.

In her closing remarks, Minister Angelina Teny emphasised that South Sudan needs to take ownership of the country’s DDR and SSR processes, with a clear commitment of resources from the government, and with the support of partners, especially the AU. In addition, she underlined the importance of oversight of, for example, the civil society and the media, as they foster democracy and accountability. She stressed the need to build strong institutions that are accountable, adding that South Sudan is currently working on organizing a National Conference to present all relevant documents once finalised.