In a significant move towards peace and stability, South Sudan has begun the redeployment of its unified forces, a critical step that was originally scheduled for 2020, and among those at the helm of this development is Dominica’s Dr. Thomson Fontaine.
Dr. Fontaine is the Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy in the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), the institution overseeing the peace agreement. He delivered an address on behalf of the RJMEC at a ceremony marking this momentous occasion.
Dr. Fontaine expressed his pride and happiness at the commencement of the redeployment. He acknowledged the three-year delay but emphasized the importance of the step, pointing out that it was, “better late than never”. He reminded the troops of their crucial role in building a stable, prosperous, and strong South Sudan.
“It is important that you are part of a unified force,” he told the troops. “You are not indivisible units belonging to any one party, but your allegiance should be to South Sudan.”
The deployment of the troops in South Sudan is being seen as a significant stride in the five-year journey since the signing of the peace agreement. The next major step is towards elections, where these forces will play a critical role in providing necessary security.
Dr. Fontaine stressed the importance of maintaining peace, especially considering the regional context. He thanked the troops and wished them well as they embark on their mission to serve the people of South Sudan who will be looking to them to ensure that peace reigns in the country.
Dr. Fontaine, a former IMF economist and Senator in the Parliament of Dominica, was in 2017, appointed Senior Economic and International Policy Adviser to the government of South Sudan, Africa. He later became the Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy in the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), charged with overseeing the peace agreement.
South Sudan, now considered the world’s newest nation, gained independence in July 2011 after a long-anticipated self-determination referendum. However, by 2013, internal political disputes escalated into conflict, revealing fragile institutions and deep-seated divisions among communities. The war took on an ethnic dimension, with President Salva Kiir (a Dinka) and dismissed Vice President Riek Machar (a Nuer) as the conflict’s figureheads.
The peace process, overseen by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), aimed to end the war and facilitate a political transition. This process started in January 2014 and ended in August 2015 with the signing of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS).
Since 2018, the Revitalized Agreement has provided a peace framework, despite ongoing intercommunal violence. In August, the parties agreed on a Roadmap extending the transitional period by 24 months. Key steps towards peace include incorporating the peace agreement into the constitution, reconstituting the transitional national legislature, drafting the constitution-making process bill, reunifying the security command structure, and adopting a public financial reform strategy.
The redeployment of the unified forces in Sudan marks a new chapter in South Sudan’s journey towards peace and stability, reflecting the commitment of its leaders and the hope of its people.
I wish the Chairman of CARICOM and Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica. Dr Dr Honorable Roosevelt Skerrit had the testicular fortitude to tell his comrade, President Nicholas Maduro of Venezuela to back off from annexing rather invading his sister CARICOM country of Guyana. If he allows that to happen under his watch as CARICOM Chairman… he should go down in history as the biggest betrayer of CARICOM unity.
The important position of UWP Leader should be assigned to a Public Servant who is onsite and fully engaged with the critical task of attending to national affairs.
It appears that Mr. Fontaine, in his extremely important Peace Broker role in South Sudan, has bitten off more than he can chew by committing to being the UWP Leader.
One would not be far fetched in stating that Mr. Fontaine (who undoubtedly has a very bright domestic political future) is essentially moonlighting and moon walking by trying to juggle two very demanding assignments.
I expect a good measure of pushback from those who will disagree with me by opting to believe that Mr. Fontaine can easily walk and chew gum at the same time!!!
The Starboy of Stupidity would love to be on the world stage in such a humongous occasion in front of a world audience those; mouton batallie enablers and supporters are unable to digest the importance of what’s taking place in South Sudan; too bad for you guys that’s leadership quality for you in your face put it in you all pipe and smoke it dummies.
We have to respectfully disagree on this one IBO. Opposition leader? Jesma Victor-Paul is the opposition leader sir. Thompson is the leader Political leader of the UWP my friend.
Further, the problem in Dca is not about opposition leader, its about the people. I remember when Lennox was opposition leader many in the diaspora chastised him for not doing enough and openly repeated labor saying said he was the problem. Today the same people are now blaming Thomson. Thomson is doing just fine in my opinion holding down a job while getting the exposure and experience need for when the UWP gets in power. Simply put, the man has to eat.
Further, when it is time to come home Thomson will so have no fear. The current fight is for “we the people”. And by the way where is the so called Deputy leader? Perfect opportunity for him to shine in the absence of the leader. I believe he is the one failing us because he is on the ground and should stand up in the physical absence of the leader.
“I believe he is the one failing us because he is on the ground and should stand up in the physical absence of the leader.” I now understand better how a human can support Linton et al…it takes one with a special kind of twisted logic, a gem of a special breed.
Dominica gains nothing from Thompson Fountaine ‘s employment in South Sudan. He should be here functioning as leader of UWP. Had he been here utilising his expertise to negotiate a truce between the proprietors of Coulibri Ridge and Bois Cotelette, maybe he could have made a difference.
selfish actions, thinking of nobody but himself and he wants to lead 70000 people on those principles. really Thompson. Clement should be the leader even I know that and I Don’t know much about politics.
@Gratitude
Your bitter human being…Give the man a break….No wondercyou all are ging nowhere in this country.
@me, you all want to lead Dominica by remote control. Nothing wrong with Thompson working where ever he chooses but he must stop pretending that he loves Dominica, he is only interested in his ambitious pursuits. Thompson moved to South Sudan while he was a sitting member of parliament he did not even have the courtesy or respect to resign in a proper manner he showed no respect for Parliament by just walking out.
Dominica gains nothing from Thompson Fountain’s
employment in South Sudan. He should be here functioning as leader of UWP. Utilising his expertise to negotiate a truce between the proprietors of Coulibri Ridge and Bois Cotelette, maybe he could have made a difference.
Lol, DNO, I am not sure of the intent of this article, but it surely does not make Fontaine, the elected leader of the UWPwee look good. Each day, prolific Dominicans across the globe make addresses or deliver presentations on earth shattering topics and there is no mention of this. So, whatever your intentions, consider this…
Fontaine knew all along that he was deeply committed in South Sudan. Yet, I heard him promise (using his favourite radio station) that if elected as leader of the UWPwee he would resign and return to Dominica. I do not see any signs that Fontaine meant to resign or is planning to. Do your research of his activities in South Sudan. So, he was deceptive, he lied to his fans; he broobrooded them, confirming what anyone who knows him personally already says openly about him.
Thompson reminds me of people who run for positions on sports clubs and have no intention of doing anything, except know they have a position.
This to me is quite pathetic. The members of UWP should call for his resignation and let someone else take the lead. He is anything but a leader.
With that type of leadership, Skerrit will RULE (not govern) Dominica for the next century.
Thompson Fontaine is no fool,he knows UWP cannot win the next election.He also know a ceasefire and peace between the South Sudanese government and the rebels is going to take a very long time.If Fontaine were to take up the position of leader UWP and living in Dominica he would lose out.Fontaine may be chief of staff,if he is it is for an observer group not military.
This is the man! for the team.
I am not a UWP supporter but it’s time for someone with impeccable credentials to look at this big picture – 10 years, not 20 or 35.
This picture of Fontaine was taken in 2019.RJMEC,what is rjmec?RJMEC is a monitoring or observer group charged with monitoring or observing the ceasefire in South Sudan and to report to the government.RJMEC is like the an election observers group.A group of rebels left the main rebel group SSUF/A,on Monday 4th December 2023 and denounced violence.Thompson Fontaine does not work for the government of South Sudan as an economist.Read the Sudanese Tribune dated December 5th 2023.Fontaine has nothing to do with (ARCSS) and he is not involved in negotiating a ceasefire between the government and rebels.
And there I was, thinking Fontaine was the leader of UWP. How silly of me.
Is Fontaine the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary of State or the Chief of Joint Chiefs of Staff in Sudan addressing the Unified Forces. Is he the go-to man or the one calling the shots? Now, he is a military man and not an Economist. He is another Kim Jong Un without his daughter. Watch out for dem missiles from the Rocket Man, Thomas Fontaine. He counting all dem headlights on de Highway.
Hats off to you Dr. Fontaine. You are making us proud.
@Dreadidiah, making who proud? The man is encouraging violence in his country while calling for peace in sudan what a hypocrite.
I am not cutting Thompson Fontaine any slack. He is the opposition leader of one of the two major political parties in Dominica but he is leading by remote. He was specifically asked how he would lead the party while abroad. The man promised to relinquish duties in South Sudan. He LIED! I guess promises are meant to be broken.
Dominica is falling apart. The opposition leader is not on the ground to rally the troops and agitate for regime change. Having the warring factions in Sudan to sign a peace accord is good but parson christen his pickney first.
Ah… wha was that Ibo, brain fart? 🧠