IGAD endorses George Owinow as chair of South Sudan's peace implementation body
Owinow, nominated by the Kenyan government, replaces Major General (Rtd) Charles Tai Gituai, who has held the role since August 2020.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has endorsed Major General (Rtd) George Aggrey Owinow of Kenya as the new chairperson of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), the body responsible for overseeing the implementation of South Sudan's revitalised peace agreement.
Owinow, nominated by the Kenyan government, replaces Major General (Rtd) Charles Tai Gituai, who has held the role since August 2020. RJMEC confirmed the appointment in a statement issued from Juba on Sunday.
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"Owinow's arrival comes at a critical moment for the revitalised peace agreement, with several key pending tasks that must be implemented to pave the way for elections in December 2026," the statement read.
A seasoned military and diplomatic figure with over four decades of experience, Owinow has served in various roles across Africa. He was Kenya's High Commissioner to Uganda from 2020 to 2022 and previously served as the Deputy Force Commander for the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) from 2019 to 2020.
RJMEC emphasised the importance of securing additional financial resources to expedite the implementation of critical aspects of the peace process, including the unification of forces—a key milestone necessary for holding elections by the extended December 2026 deadline.
In its latest quarterly report released on January 21, RJMEC highlighted the challenges facing South Sudan's peace process, urging the unity government to demonstrate greater political will and commitment.
The commission stressed that overcoming these challenges is essential to laying the groundwork for sustainable peace in the country.
Owinow's leadership is expected to help guide South Sudan's peace process through this crucial phase, with a focus on ensuring tangible progress toward the long-awaited elections.
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