Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

1. I welcome you all to our May Plenary. Last week marked a historic moment in the birth of this young nation – the 34^th anniversary of the launch of the South Sudan’s People’s Liberation Movement. I congratulate all the leaders and people of South Sudan on this important milestone.
2. The theme for this anniversary is very important and timely. “Let us dialogue to forgive one another for sustainable reconciliation, peace and development.” It is a matter of deep regret, however, that, after a successful liberation struggle, this historic liberation movement now finds itself embroiled in fighting among former comrades.
3. I want to appeal to all the sons and daughters of this land, to use this 34^th anniversary to summon the spirit of comradeship that won their liberation to heal the bitter divide between SPLM factions which are now engaged in such unfortunate and destructive conflict.
4. For peace and stability to endure in this country, and for the fruits of the liberation to translate into reality, we need a strong, united peaceful and democratic South Sudan.
5. I therefore welcome H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit’s call for nationalism and patriotism on this day, and I want to appeal to the government and all the parties in opposition to honor the sacrifices that have been borne by all South Sudanese by making peace, not waging more war.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

6. The official launch of the National Dialogue this week is therefore very timely and a welcome development. I am encouraged by the declaration that the National Dialogue will be inclusive, transparent and conducted with integrity.
7. The National Dialogue does not replace the implementation of the Peace Agreement; it is complementary. Let us all give peace and dialogue a chance in order to create a conducive environment for the full implementation of the Agreement.
8. I commend the President for declaring a unilateral ceasefire and for recommending the release of political detainees. I urge all those in Opposition to follow suit immediately.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

9. We are now into the eighteenth month of the the implementation of the ARCSS and since this Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission was formed, and thirteen months into the Transition Period following the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) on April 29, 2016. This means, we have barely seventeen months left to October 2018 and the end of the Transitional Period.
10. Some of the JMEC Working Committees have now held their second or third meetings since our last Plenary, and they have developed and adopted a roburst framework for evaluating progress for each chapter of the Agreement.
11. I am encouraged by the real commitment and determination of all the Working Committees to undertake their tasks. I am confident that the work of these Committees will constitute an important and integral part of JMEC’s assessment, reporting and recommendations in the months ahead.
12. I must also appreciate the commitment and determination shown by members of JMEC. Even the modest progress we have made so far would not have been possible without your concerted efforts and sustained contributions.
13. However, time is catching up with the implementation of the Agreement. Our pace is far too slow and the situation is not getting any better. We need to ask more questions and demand more concrete steps from the TGoNU to expedite the implementation of the Agreement.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

14. Since the last Plenary, more fighting has been reported between the SPLA-IG and SPLA-IO (Machar) in Tonga, Kodok, and Aburoc in Upper Nile and very recently in Wau and Waat. Ambushes and attacks against civilians took place on Juba-Bor road and in Parajok.
15. JMEC condemns this senseless continuation of violence and the resulting loss of civilian life and urges CTSAMM to quickly verify and report the parties responsible.
16. These ongoing violations of the permanent ceasefire by the SPLA-IG and SPLA-IO MUST stop, and I expect the JMCC to make substantial recommendations to help the TGoNU and JMEC to achieve this outcome. The other armed groups contributing to these violence MUST also stop and pursue a peaceful path towards engagement in the peace process.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

17. I remain deeply concerned by the continuous deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the country. The ongoing hostilities exacerbate the challenges and create even more humanitarian needs.
18. The renewed violence reported in Yuai, Waat, Tonga and Kodok areas reportedly displaced between 50,000 and 100,000 people, of which at least 25,000 people fled to Aburoc and Sudan.
19. According to the UN OCHA Humanitarian Bulletin of May 9^th, 2017, the number of South Sudanese refugees in the neighbouring countries continues to grow and has reached 1.8 million, while the number of internally displaced persons now stands at about 2 million.
20. These figures are staggering and continue to illustrate the scale of the impact of the ongoing conflict. Civilians are routinely and forcefully removed from their villages by the conflict and have their lives uprooted and livelihoods dismantled.
21. Yet humanitarian access remains a constant challenge. For example, it is regrettable that the recent conflicts in Waat and Walgak in Jonglei state resulted in the relocation of the humanitarian aid workers from the area. The violence that caused this cannot by any stretch of imagination be said to be defensive.
22. More South Sudanese continue to flee violence and face a growing reality of hunger, all the while wondering if they will ever see the peace dividend that implementation of the Agreement is expected to deliver.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

23. The prospect of famine spreading to other parts of the country is also increasing. When famine was first declared, it was in the two counties of Leer and Mayendit. But now Koch, a third county, is also reported to be on the verge of famine. These are clear warnings that if the fighting does not stop, the number of food insecure people in South Sudan could rise for months particularly during the raining season.
24. While I extol the efforts of the region, international community and friends of South Sudan in their response to address the humanitarian catastrophe, I continue to appeal for more good will and urgent action. The South Sudan 2017 Humanitarian Response Plan projected that at least 1.6 billion US Dollars would be required for humanitarian response in the country, but only 27 per cent of the required funding has been received so far – leaving a funding shortfall of about USD 1.2 billion.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

25. As I promised in my last address to this Plenary, I have continued with my diplomatic engagments in the region, specifically in line with our One Voice initiative, and I consulted with regional leaders and some South Sudanese stakeholders in the pursuit of peace.
26. I held consultations with the IGAD Chairperson H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, and the AU Commission Chairperson, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, and briefed them on the deliberations we had here in Juba and the situation in the country.
27. I also met with H.E. Omar al-Bashir, President of Sudan, H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, President of Uganda, and H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of Kenya. The purpose of my diplomatic mission within the region was to identify a path out of the escalating violence and humanitarian crisis.
28. I appealed for us all to adopt “one voice” in our engagment with the leaders of South Sudan, and the need for the regional leaders to align their messages and actions to prevent the situation in South Sudan from further deterioration.
29. The regional leaders expressed their grave concern with the recent escalation of violence, the ongoing violation of the permanent ceasefire and the worsening humanitarian situation in the country. They emphasised that the conflict in this country requires a political, not military solution and they demanded wider inclusivity of and dialogue amongst the belligerents.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

30. I also had the opportunity to meet with some of the key South Sudanese stakeholders currently in opposition. I met with Madam Rebecca Nyandeng De Mabior, former detainees Pagan Amum, Kosti Manibe, Dr. Majak and Dr. Cirino Hiteng, and also with Dr. Lam Akol, Thomas Cirillo, James Oryema and others in order to listen to their grievances.
31. My message to all of them was that those who are still fighting should stop immediately for the sake of this country that they say they love so much, and that all serious parties should pursue a political path to return to the Peace Process.
32. In principle they welcomed my message. They demanded a negotiated ceasefire and expressed their willingness to participate in a credible political process outside South Sudan that might lead to their return to the implementation of the Peace Agreement. In this regard they underlined the importance of the deployment of the Regional Protection Force.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

33. JMEC welcomes the recent progress made by the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) in incorporating the ARCSS into the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan (2011), and for embarking on the relevant legislative review and amendments process.
34. However, it is regrettable that the TGoNU has delayed the submission of this Amendment Bill to the Transitional National Legislative Assembly and missed the deadline prescribed by the Agreement.
35. I urge the TGoNU to expedite this constitutional amendment process and also to immediately initiate a Permanent Constitution making process.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

36. The economic crisis continues, driven by declining oil production, low oil prices and decline in food production. The South Sudanese Pound (SSP) continues to depreciate and inflation remains high. However the economic measures implemented by the TGoNU to enhance economic stability have had some success.
37. There has been a substantial decline in the budget deficit and a marked decline in the inflation rate from 550 percent per annum in September 2016 to 273 percent per annum in April 2017. More recently, after reaching a peak of 200 SSP/USD in April 2017, the exchange rate fell to a range of 140-160 SSP/USD in mid-May.
38. If the authorities continue to pursue tighter fiscal and monetary policies, inflation and exchange rate depreciation can be expected to moderate further thus contributing to an improvement in the overall economic stability.
39. The country will continue to face a difficult budget situation over the medium term as, given the low oil prices and production trends, net oil revenue cannot be expected to increase significantly anytime soon. New domestically financed spending for development and other services will require reallocation within the present budget envelope.
40. Even amidst these economic challenges and budgetary constraints, an end to the hostilities will bring about a tangible peace dividend and ease some economic burdens for the people of South Sudan. The present threats to their lives and property will recede, and people will be able to return home, rebuild their lives and resume productive livelihoods.
41. Specifically, the return of farmers to their land will increase food supplies in the markets and lower prices. Safer transport routes and more stable economic conditions will add marketable goods and stimulate economic activity.
42. Ultimately, implementing broad and sustained development initiatives in South Sudan will require peace, but robust planning for post-conflict development programmes should start immediately. I urge the TGoNU to continue with its reforms and put in place a framework that will ensure the best use of its available resources.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

43. I therefore recommend that JMEC must continue to demand:
    1. full commitment by all parties to the restoration and implementation of the permanent ceasefire;
    2. total cessation of violence around the country and a commitment to pursue a political path to reconciling their differences;
    3. deployment of the Regional Protection Force to build confidence and encourage a return to inclusive implementation of the Peace Agreement;
    4. full and credible inclusion of all parties and stakeholders in the National Dialogue and implementation of the Peace Agreement;
    5. immediate initiation of the Permanent Constitution making process and a clear timeline to the end of the Transition Period;
    6. continued implementation of Chapter II Transitional Security Arrangements and cantonment activities; and allow unhindered and unfettered access to CTSAMM, and
    7. ABOVE ALL an immediate and sustained improvement of the conditions for delivery of humanitarian assistance; and
    8. the fast-tracking of the Amendment Bill incorporating the ARCSS into the Transitional Constitution and continued support to the NCAC to review and amend the necessary legislation within their mandate.
       1. reiterate our appeal to the IGAD leaders to speak with one voice, and align the messages and actions to South Sudanese leaders.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

44. In conclusion, I expect this Plenary to:
    1. receive a briefing from the TGoNU on recent progress made in implementing the Peace Agreement;
    2. receive an update from TGoNU and UNMISS on the current humanitarian situation, in particular on steps taken to facilitate unfettered humanitarian access;
    3. receive summary reports on the status of the various boards and commissions of the Peace Agreement and the progress towards their objectives; and,
    4. welcome the progress that is being made by the various JMEC Working Committees and commend the Chairpersons and members for their commitment and contributions.
45. At the end of this Plenary, I shall invite a brief presentation from the JMEC Civil Society representative.
46. Finally, I take this opportunity to thank all our partners in TGoNU, the other South Sudanese stakeholders, IGAD, AU, Troika, EU, China, the UN, UNMISS, and the International Partners and Friends of South Sudan for their commitment and continued support to JMEC and the peace process in South Sudan.
47. May God bless us all and continue to guide us in the relentless pursuit of peace. Thank you.

Honorable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

1. I believe that we have had a productive JMEC Plenary today.
2. I thank the representatives of TGoNU for presenting a summary report on the progress the Government has made so far, as well as its stated continued commitment to the implementation of the Agreement, including measures it is undertaking to address the current economic challenges facing the country.
3. I must also thank the United Nations for providing a humanitarian update, and the various Boards and Institutions for their reports. To all those who made valuable and constructive contributions today, I say thank you.
4. From our discussions today, it is clear that the humanitarian situation, and with it the complete cessation of violence, remains the most critical challenge facing the people of South Sudan. Whilst concerted efforts are being made to respond to the overwhelming humanitarian needs, many challenges remain that hinder the timely and effective provision of humanitarian relief, particularly at the local level. I welcome the call for enhanced coordination of efforts of all stakeholders and I hope that this can be expedited immediately.
5. You will forgive me if I reiterate the key message that summarizes our collective approach. It is clear, I am afraid, that little has changed since we last met – we must continue the search for the means to end the violence and stop the fighting; we must continue to coordinate our efforts to end the crisis of hunger; and we must increase our efforts to engage all parties and communities in South Sudan and establish an inclusive National Dialogue.
6. I cannot emphasize enough, the need for:
   1. the concerted effort by all leaders, civilian and military, inside and outside South Sudan, to assert control over those loyal to you and bring violence and conflict to an immediate end;
   2. a willingness by all to find a comprehensive and inclusive political resolution to the conflict in South Sudan;
   3. a total commitment by all parties to the conflict to guarantee and facilitate access for humanitarian support, and to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations including violence against aid workers;

I thank you.

OPENING STATEMENT BY H.E. FESTUS G. MOGAE CHAIRMAN OF JMEC DURING THE PLENARY MEETING OF THE JOINT MONITORING & EVALUATION COMMISSION

15^th MARCH 2017

JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

1. I welcome you all to our March plenary.

2. In the past week we have witnessed global recognition of International Women’s Day. Here in South Sudan events were held across the country recognising the invaluable and inspiring contribution that the women of South Sudan continue to make despite enduring challenges.

3. It is a small gesture but I wish to dedicate these opening remarks to the women of South Sudan. They have suffered the greatest injustices and born the greatest burden of conflict but they continue to nourish, nurture, protect and provide for the families and communities of this country and they do so with unfailing courage and commitment.

4. The women of South Sudan are strong and capable and we would wish to see their contribution increase across all aspects of national life. Peace processes are inevitably more successful with strong female involvement and I firmly believe that there can be no sustainable peace in South Sudan without the full participation and leadership of women.

5. Last week, I had a fruitful mission to Washington where I met with Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, and Senator Jeff Flake, Chairman of the Subcommittee on African Affairs in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. They expressed their concerns at the failure to end hostilities and the lack of progress in the implementation of the peace agreement, despite the amount of effort and resources being expended to help the country.

6. I welcome the most recent visit last week of the African Union High Representative for South Sudan, H.E. President Konare. The engagement of the African Union within South Sudan is crucially important to the delivery and implementation of the Agreement, and his personal commitment and support is greatly appreciated.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

7. Whether by design or default, a war is being waged around this country and the security and humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. And so I wish to spell out the three defining questions that we, as JMEC, face together right now.

8. How do we stop the fighting? How do we stop innocent people dying of starvation? And how do we ensure that the interests and concerns of all South Sudanese communities are fully represented and considered? Peace, relief and inclusivity.

9. These three issues are wholly interconnected. The humanitarian crisis, now officially a famine, is the direct result of insecurity and armed violence perpetrated by all parties to the Agreement.

10. This insecurity and armed violence is a direct result of the perception and reality of political exclusion from the peace process.

11. And therefore, only when all the people and communities of South Sudan see that their interests and concerns are being represented, can peace return to this country, and the people return to normal life.

12. There can never be a military solution in South Sudan. To find a sustainable solution, we must be willing to listen to all views, accommodate all constituencies and compromise.

13. Equally, a political solution cannot be imposed upon any one side by any other. We must be willing to find the appropriate solution that answers the interests of all and creates opportunity through a genuinely democratic dispensation.

14. Two weeks ago, I met with the President of South Sudan, H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, and had an important discussion primarily focused on the National Dialogue initiative, which has the potential to address national grievances if it is genuinely and sincerely inclusive.

15. I have reiterated my view that the National Dialogue must hear and address the views of all communities in South Sudan, not simply those who agree with the Government.

16. The National Dialogue must be authentic, autonomous and impartially-led for it to be credible and deliver a true and reliable representation of all views and concerns.

17. I had the pleasure of attending the National Prayer Day last Friday at the John Garang Stadium in Juba. I share the sentiments expressed by Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro when he said that this Prayer was for peace and that therefore we expect to see genuine, honest and explicit efforts made towards reconciliation and an end to all armed conflict.

18. For this National Prayer to have any meaning or authenticity to the people of South Sudan, it must be be accompanied by an immediate end to the on-going hostilities and violations of human rights which continue unabated.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

19. In summary of our assessment of the situation in the South Sudan I must report the following:

20. Sadly repeated calls for peace have gone unheeded. CTSAMM will brief us later but since the last Plenary, we have received reports of new and intense fighting between the SPLA–IG and the SPLA–IO loyal to Dr. Machar in Fangak State and in the Equatorias, with the worst incidents in and around Yei and Kajo Keji, with civilians continuing to be displaced at an alarming rate.

21. Whilst we in this room are trying to encourage implementation of the Peace Agreement, the SPLA-IG and the SPLA-IO loyal to Dr. Machar, and other armed groups, wage relentless war and engage in the destruction of lives and communities in total violation of the ceasefire agreement.

22. It is not acceptable and I strongly condemn the violence, the killings, the human rights abuses and the destruction of homes by all armed groups around this country. Those responsible must be held accountable for the continuous suffering of innocent civilians.

23. I am also disappointed to learn that the CTSAMM team in Malakal was, on several occasions, denied freedom of movement by the SPLA-IG as they tried to investigate the fighting that took place in Wau Shilluk in early February.

24. CTSAMM and the JMCC must work together to report freedom of movement violations complete with the names of the commanders responsible, so that the TGoNU can take action against the culprits. CTSAMM must be afforded the freedom of movement to execute their mandate.

25. Repeated and ongoing violations of the ceasefire must be more openly addressed. There must be accountability for these violations and I ask everyone around this table to facilitate and support CTSAMM in their mission.

26. In January a member of the CTSAMM monitoring and verification team in Wau was killed, reportedly by SPLA-IO (Machar). I strongly condemn this killing and any intimidation or interference with CTSAMM representatives by any Parties to the Agreement.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

27. On 20^th February, UN Agencies WFP, UNICEF and FAO declared a localised famine affecting about 100,000 people in northern Unity State. An additional one million are on the brink of famine in several other parts of the country where farming has been severely hampered and food prices have soared since the outbreak of fighting in July last year.

28. A formal famine declaration means that people have already started to die from starvation. This famine, however, has nothing to do with failing rains, drought or infertile soil. It is entirely the product of violence and insecurity. When people are driven from the land in fear of their lives, production stops, food becomes scarce and people starve.

29. I will invite a more detailed report on the humanitarian situation from the UNMISS SRSG, Mr David Shearer, but I find continuous reports of the denial of access for critical humanitarian aid, predominantly by the government, to be deplorable.

30. Every single act of violence results in ever growing numbers of refugees or IDP’s and this is deeply regretable. All Parties to the Agreement must take responsibility for the protection of the South Sudanese people.

31. There is a huge gap between the required humanitarian assistance and the actual supply. Therefore, on behalf of those innocent people now suffering, I appeal to the international community to increase their support for humanitarian assistance in South Sudan.

32. In the interim, we must urgently look again at all possible practical measures that we can take to alleviate the desparate suffering that millions of people are facing every day.

33. The economic crisis is deepening further. Increased insecurity in rural areas has contributed to a significant reduction in agricultural production and has also negatively impacted oil production. Together with low oil prices, these developments have caused a dramatic decline in revenues and living standards across the country.

34. The Transitional Government of National Unity has from 1^st March announced an increase in work permit fees from $100 up to between $1,000 and $10,000. These measures are no doubt aimed at increasing non-oil revenues in foreign currency.

35. However, such measures will affect both the public and private sectors in South Sudan by impairing future economic growth and development through a reduction in the transfer of skills and lowering foreign direct investment.

36. Increased fees levied on foreign humanitarian workers will hinder the humanitarian relief effort in a manner that is inconsistent with the spirit of Chapter III of the Agreement. I appeal to TGoNU to reconsider these measures.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

37. With regard to the implementation of the Agreement, I can report the following:

1. The NCAC has held two meetings during which all the amendments to the Constitution to incorporate the Agreement have been discussed. NCAC has also met both the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs and the Minister for Cabinet Affairs and briefed them on progress. Both Ministers have affirmed the government’s commitment to the implementation of the agreement and pledged to support the work of NCAC. The Committee is working hard to complete the review of the Constitution before the end of the month.

1. In February, JMEC formally submitted CTSAMM Board-certified ceasefire violation reports, including attribution, to the TGoNU and requested that both Honorable Michael Makuei for SPLA-IG and Honorable Dhuei Mathok for SPLA-IO advise JMEC on actions taken regarding the reported violations.

1. The JMCC has continued to develop plans for cantonment and we hope that a pilot programme will commence soon. I am aware of the challenges that the JMCC is facing but I hope that it will explore every option to deliver a practical and realistic solution.

1. I further applaud the JMCC for successfully resolving a number of illegal occupations in Juba, and restoring properties to their rightful owners.

1. The Joint Integrated Police have developed a full Action Plan for 2017 and remains ready to engage training for over 1,000 police at Rajaf Training Centre. However, delays to the vetting and registration process and to resource allocation appear to be stalling progress and we urge the TGoNU to resolve these issues as quickly as possible.

1. I call upon the TGoNU to demonstrate commitment to these Agreement institutions by funding the provision of resources and facilities required to successfully achieve objectives; and I encourage the regional and international partners to support them.

1. The SDSR Board Chairperson and his team continue to work towards completing the Strategic Defence Review and have been working with partners on developing an initiative that will set a number of key parameters, such as armed group integration, Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR), and the right-sizing of security forces.

1. Chapter Four of the Peace Agreement underlines the need for economic stability. Data for government spending for the first half of 2016/17 shows that, despite overspending on some areas, the Government is close to meeting its goals on the implementation of its ambitious stabilization plan.

1. Beyond the establishment in December 2016 of the Technical Committee for the National Consultative Process for the Establishment of the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing (CTHR), there has been no further progress on establishing Chapter Five mechanisms and institutions. I have heard nothing from the African Union Commission on the establishment of the Hybrid Court for South Sudan.

1. These are matters of great concern. Given the escalation of the conflict, progress towards Chapter Five mechanisms is needed now more than ever before and I appeal to all parties to move with haste to enable their swift establishment. There must be accountability for the atrocities that are being committed daily across South Sudan.

1. I would like to urge the TGoNU to ensure that victims, especially victims of sexual and gender based violence, are assured of witness protection and support measures to encourage them to participate in the proposed consultations on the CTHR.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

38. Around this table we are all JMEC members, and as such we all have a role in guiding, supporting and encouraging the TGoNU in its essential task of implementing the Agreement. To do that we need to act and work together. The people of South Sudan look to us to help their leaders live up to their commitments under the Agreement.

39. There is a proposal before us today that seeks to form working committees, as permitted by the provisions of Chapter Seven of the Agreement, and which results from the consultations conducted at the JMEC Evaluation Review Workshop two weeks ago.

40. The proposal we are making today is about utilising the capacity and potential of this Commission and taking a collaborative approach to enhancing our oversight role, and maximising our collective ability to assess, evaluate, and support the implementation of the Agreement.

41. I commend the TGoNU and all JMEC members for their valuable contributions to finalising this initiative and I trust that it will have our full approval for immediate implementation.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

42. Finally, I recommend that JMEC must continue to demand:

1. the total cessation of violence around the country and the immediate deployment of the Regional Protection Force;
2. the full and credible inclusion of all Parties and stakeholders in the political process;
3. the constant encouragement to the TGoNU to ensure a genuinely inclusive National Dialogue that involves all the estranged parties to the Agreement, other armed groups, communities, civil society and women’s groups;
4. the continued support to the NCAC to conclude the necessary work to fully incorporate the Agreement into the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan;
5. continued implementation of Chapter II Transitional Security Arrangements and cantonment activities;
6. a dramatic and immediate improvement of the conditions for delivery of humanitarian assistance and the establishment of the Special Reconstruction Fund (SRF) and its Board as provided for in Chapter III of the Agreement;

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

43. In conclusion, I expect this Plenary meeting to:

1. approve the new JMEC Working Committee structure for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the ARCSS;
2. receive a briefing from the TGoNU on recent progress made in implementing the Agreement and an update on the petroleum sector reform programme;
3. receive an update from TGoNU and UNMISS on the current humanitarian situation and the cooperation of the TGoNU to enable unhindered humanitarian assistance; and
4. receive summary reports on the status of the various boards and commissions of the Agreement and the progress towards their objectives.

44. At the end of this Plenary meeting, I have invited a brief presentation from the JMEC representatives of the Faith based groups so that we might better understand the impact of insecurity on the poorest and weakest people within our society.

45. Finally, I take this opportunity to thank all our partners in TGoNU, the other South Sudanese stakeholders, IGAD, AU, Troika, EU, China, the UN, UNMISS, and the International Partners and Friends of South Sudan for their commitment and continued support to JMEC and the Peace Agreement for South Sudan.

46. May God bless us all and continue to guide us in the relentless pursuit of peace.

OPENING STATEMENT BY H.E. FESTUS G. MOGAE CHAIRMAN OF JMEC

DURING THE PLENARY MEETING OF THE JOINT MONITORING & EVALUATION COMMISSION

8^th FEBRUARY 2017 JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

 Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

1. I welcome you all to this first JMEC Plenary of 2017. I trust that everyone had a fulfilling and refreshing break over the Christmas period and that we all return reinvigorated and determined to pursue peace for the people of South Sudan.

2. May I also convey our greetings and best wishes to all the listeners on Radio Miraya this morning, who are hearing these opening remarks broadcast live around the country for the first time.

3. Since the New Year I have briefed the United Nations Security Council in New York and also a joint consultative meeting of the United Nations Secretary General, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission and the Chairman of IGAD, who also chaired the meeting. The African Union High Representative for South Sudan also attended the meeting.

4. I am sure I speak for us all in welcoming to their distinguished offices, the new United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, the newly elected Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mr. Moussa Faki Mahamet and the new SRSG and Head of UNMISS, David Shearer, who joins us here today. We welcome them all, we look forward to working with them and we extend our gratitude, in advance, for their dedicated support and commitment to the Peace Process in South Sudan.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

5. We departed 2016 with a message of peace and goodwill to all people and a commitment to making 2017 a year of peaceful progress. Whilst I note that Juba enjoyed the quietest Christmas for many years, I am also dismayed at the continuing conflict in Equatoria and the appalling outbreak of violence in Wau and Upper Nile State over the past two weeks.

6. The recent fighting around Malakal and Renk was a blatant violation of the ceasefire. Individually and collectively JMEC condemns the violence. CTSAMM has begun their investigations and I call upon all Parties involved to cease all military activity and cooperate fully with these investigations.

7. Over the past three months we have seen a deterioration of the security in the country, with fighting between government, opposition and a proliferation of other armed groups, criminals and the politically disaffected.

8. There have been increasing reports of targeted and revenge killings, sexual violence, torture and destruction of farmland and property being committed by various groups, including men in uniform. Since November 2016, the main highways from Uganda and Kenya remain extremely dangerous due to the high number of ambushes, killings, and robberies.

9. Security is the foundation stone upon which every other aspect of South Sudan’s future will be built and it is simply not credible for the Parties to preach peace with one hand and simultaneously wage war around the country with the other.

10. In the most recent days, we have received reports of violent conflict in the Equatorias, Upper Nile and Unity regions. This is not acceptable and JMEC demands respect for the ceasefire and the restoration of peace by all Parties.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

11. The spread of the conflict in the Equatorias has deepened an already dire humanitarian crisis as hundreds of thousands abandon their livelihoods and cross borders in search of safety.

12. According to the most recent FAO report, one third of the national population remains food insecure and aid dependent as the economic crisis worsens. UNOCHA reports that 52,600 South Sudanese fled to Uganda in January alone. The number of South Sudanese refugees in neighbouring countries has reached 1.4 million.

13. Access to civilian population of humanitarian assistance has been routinely obstructed, with the United Nations reporting in December 2016, that it had recorded one hundred incidents against humanitarian workers and aid convoys.

14. Real lives, families and livelihoods are being destroyed. Much more needs to be done to guarantee the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those desperately in need and the protection of those humanitarian workers who deliver it.

15. Reduced production in agriculture is directly related to increased insecurity in rural areas. Insecurity has also negatively impacted oil production. Together with low oil prices, these developments have caused a dramatic decline in living standards across the country.

16. However, with the Government’s stabilization program in progress, there are signs that inflation is declining markedly, creating a firmer basis for growth and development. Inflation in the last quarter of 2016 averaged 2% per month.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

17. Our greatest challenge today remains inclusivity within the Peace Agreement institutions. The events of July 2016 resulted in a split in the SPLM/IO with two factions appearing: one loyal to Dr. Riek Machar, currently in exile in South Africa, and the other loyal to General Taban Deng Gai, now First Vice President.

18. Other opposition members who were Parties to the Agreement also fled Juba and new political groups and armed militias have emerged, some allied to former Parties to the Agreement and others simply opportunistic or criminal elements.

19. Whereas H.E. President Salva Kiir and First Vice President General Taban Deng are cooperating, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, Dr. Lam Akol and other estranged Parties have actively challenged the credibility of the current TGoNU and the legitimacy of the Agreement and its continued implementation.

20. IGAD, AU, UN and other international partners have expressed serious concerns with regard to the inadequacy of the representation of these various groups within the current TGoNU construct, and its effect in undermining progress in the establishment of key agreement institutions and mechanisms.

21. We are all interested in finding a way to restore a fully inclusive and representative political process, involving all the estranged Parties to the Agreement and others, without renegotiating the Agreement, so that all Parties and communities see that their interests are being accommodated.

22. We urge the TGoNU, IGAD and the international community to take advantage of President Salva Kiir’s National Dialogue initiative and reach out to the estranged Parties and their followers. For dialogue to have real meaning and effect, it must include more than those who already agree with the Government and take account of all views and concerns. I am happy to note H.E. President Salva Kiir’s visit to Yei this week and I encourage further national engagement with all regional communities.

23. JMEC will never tire of repeating its resolute belief that South Sudan’s problems must be resolved peacefully and politically, not forcefully. We must be willing to accommodate each other rather than defeat each other.

24. JMEC continues to believe that the immediate deployment of the Regional Protection Force is an essential component in protecting civilians, guaranteeing continued stability in Juba, and providing a safe, secure and neutral environment for the implementation of the Agreement.

25. JMEC further believes that the Peace Agreement remains the only viable means through which to maintain momentum and deliver a sustainable peace and provides the best framework through which to drive dialogue and engagement and build governance in South Sudan.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

26. I have taken care over the past months to highlight and praise those areas within the ARCSS where progress has been made, but in this Plenary I dedicate a moment to expressing our expectations and priorities for 2017.

27. I believe we must strive for:

1. the total cessation of violence around the country and the immediate deployment of the Regional Protection Force in accordance with UNSC Resolution 2304 (2016)
2. the full and credible inclusion of all Parties and stakeholders in the political process;
3. the constant encouragement to the TGoNU to ensure a genuinely inclusive National Dialogue process that involves all the estranged parties to the Agreement, other armed groups, civil society and women’s groups.
4. the submission of a revised implementation schedule, and the creation of the conditions necessary for the full implementation of the ARCSS;
5. the continued support to the NCAC to conclude the necessary legislations and fully incorporate the ARCSS into the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan (2011).
6. the provision of all necessary cooperation by TGoNU to IGAD, the African Union Commission and the United Nations Security Council in implementing the various recommendations, resolutions and communiqués with respect to the implementation of the Agreement;
7. the further appointment of nominees of other political parties and the former detainees to the TNLA to complete the expansion of the TNLA in accordance with the Agreement;
8. continue implementation of Chapter II Transitional Security Arrangements, including the JMCC, SDSR, JIP, JOC and cantonment activities; and the provision of resources and facilities required to successfully achieve objectives;
9. an improvement of the conditions for delivery of humanitarian assistance and the establishment of the Special Reconstruction Fund (SRF) and its Board as provided for in Chapter III of the Agreement;
10. the deepening of dialogue between the TGoNU and the IMF on economic policy, progress in the implementation of the provisions in Chapter IV and determine the requirement for the provision of technical assistance;
11. the continued cooperation between the Ministry of Justice and African Union Commission in the pursuit of the relevant accountability and reconciliation mechanisms provided for in Chapter V;
12. reconstitution of the National Constitutional Review Commission and commencement of the Permanent Constitution making process.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

In conclusion, I recommend that we use this Plenary meeting to:

1. Reflect on the priorities set out for 2017 to address the implementation of the Peace Agreement, and to catch-up with the implementation schedule;
2. To receive a briefing from the TGoNU on recent progress made in implementing the Agreement, and in particular steps being taken to address the deteriorating security and economic situation in the country; and detail of funding provision for the key bodies within the Agreement;
3. To receive an update from UNMISS on the status of the deployment of the Regional Protection Force; the current humanitarian situation and the cooperation of the TGoNU to enable unhindered humanitarian assistance;
4. To receive summary reports on the status of the various boards and commissions (JMCC, SDSRB, CTSAMM, JIP-MT, NCAC) and their progress and strategies.

At the end of this Plenary meeting, I have invited a presentation from the JMEC representative from the Chamber of Commerce so that we might better understand the impact of insecurity from an economic and business perspective. We look forward to hearing the views and plans of other representatives over the next few Plenary meetings.

Finally, I take this opportunity to thank all our partners in TGoNU, the other South Sudanese stakeholders, IGAD, AU, Troika, EU, China, the UN, UNMISS, and the International Partners and Friends of South Sudan for their commitment and continued support to JMEC and the Peace Agreement for South Sudan.

May God bless us all and continue to guide us in the relentless pursuit of peace.

OPENING STATEMENT BY H.E. FESTUS G. MOGAE, CHAIRMAN OF JMEC

DURING THE PLENARY MEETING OF THE JOINT MONITORING & EVALUATION COMMISSION

15 DECEMBER 2016, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

I welcome you all to this last JMEC Plenary of 2016. It has been a dramatic year and one in which South Sudan might best be described as having taken one step forward and two steps back.

December is a very important month in our calendar. Not just as the Christian celebratation of the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ, but also for a number of other important reasons.

In many parts of sub-saharan Africa, December is a month of harvest. It is a month during which we reap what we have sown. December is also a month of reflection upon the year past and planning for the year ahead.

I invite us all to reflect on this past year – the achievements, the progress and also the many missed opportunities that have cost us dearly as we search for a durable peace in this country.

As we approach Christmas, the message is one of “peace and goodwill to all people” and that must be central in our message to all the people of South Sudan. We must all commit here and now to making 2017 a year of peaceful progress.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

Back in January, in my opening address to the very first JMEC plenary, I set out a few objectives for the implementation of the Peace Agreement, as follows:

• that the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) would be formed and be fully functional;
• that the new TGoNU takes bold steps to rapidly address the dire humanitarian situation in the country;
• that insecurity would end and the new unity government would direct appropriate resources to much-needed education and service delivery;
• that there will be greater cooperation and compromise within the new government of national unity and hence a fast-tracked implementation of the peace agreement;
• that there would be establishment and operationalisation of all key Transitional Security Arrangments Institutions and Mechanisms (JMCC, SDSR, JOC, JIP, etc); and
• finally, that key pre-transition tasks, including the work of the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC), the SDSR and JIP, would be completed.

I had hoped that there would be an amended Transitional Consitution, that Juba would be demilitarised and secured by the civil police service, and a roadmap would be formalised for the transformation of the security sector for South Sudan.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

I leave the verdict to each one of you but I think we can all agree that we have not fulfilled our obligations to the Agreement or to the long suffering people of this country. We all know very well that our modest accomplishments have been outweighed by a number of squandered opportunities. Suffice to say, however, that, if it weren’t for the unfortunate events of July, we may very well have achieved something more substantial.

During 2016, the TGoNU was inaugurated in April; some of the Agreement institutions and mechanisms like JMCC, CTSAMM, SDSR, JOC had been established, and others fully operationalised; the JIP was assembled, ready for training; and the NCAC had undertaken some commendable work.

Sadly, following the July fighting and subsequent turmoil, many of these acheivements unravelled and we were almost thrown back to square one. We found ourselves having to reconstitute many of the Agreement institutions in the face of diminished inclusion and various new factions, some opposed to or deliberately undermining the peace efforts. The hopes of many ordinary South Sudanese were dashed.

Over the past few months, I have repeatedly called for an end to the fighting, for the full implementation of the ceasefire; for the restoration of full inclusivity within the political process; and for the TGoNU to address the desperate humanitarian situation. Most of all I have called for dignified and unified political leadership.

In light of this, I welcome the pronouncement a few days ago by H.E. President Salva Kiir when he reached out to his people with such strong and heartfelt words as he launched the much-needed National Dialogue initiative.

The President has seized a critical opportunity for national reconciliation, he has appealed for a spirit of forgiveness and togetherness, and he has set in motion a campaign to address the concerns and grievances of the South Sudanese people.

I applaud the President’s leadership in this matter and we in JMEC will support the National Dialogue in any way we can. The President has called for peace, unity, forgiveness and dialogue and this is undoubtedly a very good starting point for the New Year.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

I also wish to highlight those areas where progress has been made:

• the TGoNU is established and operational;
• the TNLA has been expanded and has commenced business;
• representation of the other political parties and other stakeholders to the Agreement institutions has largely been resolved, with a few exceptions;
• the Transitional Security Arrangement Mechanisms have been created and some have been operationalised:
  • CTSAMM has fully transitioned from the MVM and dutifully reported on its operations and investigations amidst enduring challenges,
  • the SDSR Board has been meeting and has set out an ambitious and robust path towards providing the Council of Ministers with revised assessments and policies in early 2017,
  • the JMCC recently held it’s second cantonment workshop in the presence of high ranking officials of the TGoNU, including Cabinet Ministers, and the SPLA Chief of General Staff. The JMCC is pressing forward to gain TGoNU approval for their plan to establish the first four cantoment sites across the greater Equatoria region from February to May 2017,
  • the JIP has made preparations to train approximately 1200 police men and women;
• the NCAC now has a Chairperson;
• a programme for economic and fiscal stabilisation is underway as reported in my last Plenary statement. Importantly,
  • the cash management system appears to be working and expenditure for the first quarter of this fiscal year was within the proscribed ceiling,
  • there is constructive dialogue between the TGoNU and the IMF
• and the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs has now inagurated a Technical Consultative Committee for the Commissition for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing. I welcome this important development towards establishing a much-needed process for accountability and transitional justice.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

Alongside the renewed efforts of the President, I am also grateful for the display of unity presented by the Chiefs’ Council, with whom I met last month.

Six hundred and fifty five Chiefs from 64 tribes gathered together to discuss their role in bringing peace to their country. It was an honour to address them and listen to them. They believe this is a political struggle, not a tribal struggle and they say they are ready and willing to play their part in bringing people together.

In light of the President’s initiative, I hope that the Chiefs will be afforded a role in the National Dialogue so that, through them, voice can be given to the hopes and aspirations of all people.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

It is appropriate to appreciate and acknowledge the sentiments expressed in the communique of the most recent IGAD Heads of State Summit, held in Addis Ababa on 09 December.

They have expressed their concern and dismay that the implementation of the Agreement has been so badly disrupted, but remain of the firm conviction that the Agreement is the only viable means through which to deliver peace.

They have called upon the TGoNU and the leadership of the Republic of South Sudan to fully cooperate with essential security and humanitarian operations and to immediately condemn acts of discrimination, hostility and hatred that could constitute incitement to violence. H.E. President Salva Kiir has responded positively and set the example for others to follow.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

In conclusion, I recommend that we use this Plenary meeting to:

• Reflect on possible steps that should be taken in 2017 to address the revival of the full implementation of the Peace Agreement, and to catch-up with the implementation schedule;
• To receive a briefing from the TGoNU on recent progress made in implementing the Agreement, and in particular steps being taken to address the deteriorating security situation in some parts of the country;
• We receive an update on the current humanitarian situation from UNMISS and steps being taken by the TGoNU to enable unhindered humanitarian assistance;
• To receive summary reports on the status of the various boards and commissions (JMCC, SDSRB, CTSAMM, JIP-MT) and their progress and strategies towards implementation of their tasks.

Over the next few Plenary meetings, I intend for us to hear the voice of everyone around the table and particularly their plans to support JMEC and the implementation of the Peace Agreement.To start this conversation, I have invited a presentation from the JMEC youth representatives. We look forward to hearing the views and plans of all representatives over the next few Plenary meetings.

Finally, I must take this opportunity to thank all our partners in TGoNU, the other South Sudanese stakeholders, IGAD, AU, Troika, EU, China, UNMISS, the International partners and friends of South Sudan for their commitment and continued support to JMEC and the peace process in South Sudan.

We appeal to all the parties, the leadership and people of South Sudan to observe peace during this festive season and beyond.

May the New Year of 2017 bring fresh inspiration and a renewed spirit of cooperation. I expect us all to make up for lost time, catch up with the implementation schedule and make real progress.

I wish you all a merry christmas, a happy new year and a restful and reflective holiday. May God bless us all, give us wisdom in the new year, and continue to guide us in the relentless pursuit of peace.

H.E. Festus Mogae, JMEC Chairman

OPENING STATEMENT BY H.E. FESTUS G. MOGAE, CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT MONITORING & EVALUATION COMMISSION DURING THE PLENARY MEETING OF 22 NOVEMBER 2016 IN JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I welcome you all to this JMEC Plenary here in Juba this morning. We have much to report and update. Some positive, some not so positive.

To set the scene, we meet here today amidst fresh public warnings of mass killings, a severe humanitarian crisis and constant news of unremitting violence perpetrated by all sides to the Agreement and by armed groups and criminals.

Public statements of such gravity made by the UN Secretary General and the Director of UN OCHA cannot be taken lightly.

At our last meeting, our primary concern was the immediate restoration of the ceasefire, and I am dismayed to report that no evident or meaningful progress has been made in that regard. Almost daily we receive reports of violence from around the country that serve to remind us of the enormity of our task and the very fragile nature of peace in the country.

However, I intend to take time today to note and recognise the re-emergence of cooperation and progress being made within the Peace Agreement by the Transitional Security Arrangement Mechanisms. I am also encouraged by the steps being taken to address the crisis in the economy and government finances.

Since our last meeting, there have been a wide range of high level briefings and meetings. I have met with the Ethiopian Prime Minister in Addis Ababa; the AU Peace and Security Council has visited South Sudan and received comprehensive briefings on the situation; the JMEC Partners Meeting took place in Kampala on 10th November, where I took the opportunity to meet with President Museveni.

In the past week I have consulted with the leadership of South Sudan, and held discussions with the President, the First Vice President and the Vice President.

Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The ceasefire that underpins the Peace Agreement continues to be challenged in some areas. The immediate cessation of hostilities and the restoration of the ceasefire remains our singlemost important priority. I am conciously and deliberately repeating my message from last month.

While CTSAMM will give a more detailed brief later, I note that violations of the ceasefire, perpetrated by uniformed armed forces of SPLA-IG and SPLA-IO, and acts of violence and criminality by other armed groups continue unabated.

In greater Equatoria fighting continues alongside the targeting of civilians, gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and continuing incidents of sexual violence.

In Central Equatoria, armed groups continue to target vehicles and convoys carrying goods and civilians in acts of retaliation against government operations. And there are reports of a rise in inflammatory rhetoric, which carries the potential for wider violent ethno-centric conflict.

Numerous clashes between IO and IG forces and other armed groups continue almost daily across Western Bahr El-Ghazal, Upper Nile, and Unity States.

There is little doubt that this continued and growing trend of violence is having a very negative effect on the hopes of the people of South Sudan, and on the partners and countries who invest so much to support this country.

All Parties and armed groups owe it to the people of South Sudan to renounce violence and I appeal to all communities and to the armed forces of the Parties to the Agreement to exercise maximum restraint.

Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

We do, however, have some encouraging signs of cooperation and progress within the Articles of the Peace Agreement, and I wish to note and recognise these formally.

Within Chapter One, I welcome the approval by the TGoNU of the appointment of the Chairperson of the National Constitutional Amendment Committee, Mr Gichira Kibara.

Within Chapter Two, the Transitional Security Arrangement Mechanisms that I have previously described as “disintegrated” have now been revived and re-constituted. Whilst they are not all fully representative or inclusive, they are balanced and capable of driving this critical element of the Agreement forward.

The Joint Military Ceasefire Commission has met consistently each week for the past two months and is actively pursuing its terms of reference. It has fair representation from all Parties, with the notable exception of those forces who remain loyal to Dr Riek Machar.

Just last week, JMEC hosted a two-day JMCC workshop on the critical objective of cantonment with a clear aim of resolving key practical issues. I am pleased to report that participants from all Parties looked at the practical measures, approaches and principles that would be required to establish and prepare cantonment sites, with appropriate physical and logistic support. We will continue to support the JMCC in the execution of their task.

The Joint Integrated Police has in excess of 850 men and women currently positioned at the police training facility at Rajaf and has received approval from TGoNU to commence training. Various partners have indicated a willingness to help provide facilities and training support. Once underway, it is anticipated that the training programme will last up to six weeks and once completed they will deploy in and around Juba. It is encouraging that the trainees come from both principal Parties to the Agreement and that the female component of the trainees appears in excess of 25%.

The Chairperson of the SDSR Board is working closely with JMEC to continue the establishment of the Secretariat and Board. JMEC is confident that the previous work on Security Sector Reform in accordance with the Articles of Chapter Two can continue.

Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

We continue to place great emphasis on the issue of political inclusion. There remain notable gaps in representation within the political process and the Institutions and Mechanisms of the Peace Agreement.

The sustainability of the Peace process is of paramount importance. Our emphasis therefore remains on the need to re-establish an environment within which all the people of South Sudan, irrespective of their ethnicity or background, can safely return and engage in constructive and peaceful dialogue.

We urge the TGoNU and all Parties to the Agreement to create an enviroment conducive to inclusivity and constructive dialogue. We commend those who continue to bring a spirit of engagement and cooperation. All Parties must be included and must include themselves.

We urge all Parties, and most particularly the TGoNU, to demonstrate leadership and campaign for peace confidently. I appeal to the President of the Republic of South Sudan and the TGoNU to assume a higher profile and a more visible stance in propagating peace among all communities and citizens of South Sudan.

The only offensive South Sudan needs right now is a Peace Offensive. A nationwide campaign of visits and speeches, standing side by side with civil society leaders and speaking words of togetherness, forgiveness, and a unified future.

The voice and contribution of faith based leaders, women, Elders, private sector, civil society and youth cannot be understated. Their voice must be heard without fear of oppression or constraint.

We welcome the amnesty granted to the SPLA/IO soldiers who had crossed into the Democratic Republic of Congo. We support and encourage all such examples of reconciliation.

We further encourage the TGoNU to expand the democratic space in South Sudan, rather than reducing it. A responsible and ethical media can facilitate a culture of open dialogue. There can be no justification for shutting down and intimidating media simply for reporting divergent views.

On an internal note of inclusivity, I am concerned that the replacement of representatives by the legitimate bodies of Civil Society Organisations and Youth has had the effect of dramatically reducing the participation of women in JMEC. I therefore propose that both appointing bodies be allowed two representatives – one male and one female.

Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

An inclusive political process can only be sustained within a secure environment. The deployment of the Regional Protection Force is a critical element within the establishment of a conducive environment that encourages and strengthens confidence in the implementation of the Agreement.

Last month we welcomed the commitments made by the TGoNU to review the transitional security arrangments for Juba in light of the agreed deployment of the Regional Protection Force. I find it regrettable, however, that final consent has not yet been given. With a minimum lead in time of six months, every day’s delay sets us back. We must all continue to work with UNMISS and TGoNU to expedite this matter to a swift conclusion.

I must also express my regret that the participation of one of our key partners has been disrupted. In light of the important role played by Kenya throughout this peace process, I hope and trust that the Government of Kenya will remain engaged and that we can work together for the greater good.

Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Violent conflict and the attendant insecurity has deepened and widened the humanitarian crisis. Thousands of people continue to flee into exile. The influx of South Sudanese refugees (188,133) has turned Bidibidi refugee camp in Uganda into the third largest refugee camp in the world. I commend the international community for responding positively to appeals to fund humanitarian aid.

The numbers of Internally Displaced Persons has increased particularly in Eastern Equatoria and parts of Western Bar El Ghazal as people flee fighting and insecurity. The majority (over 80%) of IDPs are women and children.Additionally, a large percentage of the population remains food insecure as the economic situation worsens.

I welcome the release on 26 October of 145 children who had been conscripted into armed groups as child soldiers and urge that all parties end the illegal practice of recruiting children into fighting forces. I commend UNICEF and all partners working towards ending the use of child soldiers.

The immediate and constant Government facilitation of unhindered humanitarian access across the country is essential in relieving this dire situation. But humanitarian suffering and human rights violations in South Sudan are a direct product of the violence we are seeing. Only when the violence ends will the suffering stop.

On behalf of JMEC, I would like to offer our immense thanks for the exceptional service of the departing UN SRSG, Mrs Ellen Loej. We owe her a great debt of gratitude for her two years of commitment and we wish her well in her retirement.

Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

South Sudan is going through a deep economic crisis, the roots of which lie in a protracted war and previously poor fiscal and economic management.

The economic situation deteriorated markedly with the violence in July. Monthly inflation averaged 41 per cent over the three months June - August and as of October the annualized inflation rate is 835%.

The economic situation interacts directly with the security situation. Security is a pre-requisite for a stable economy which is in turn a prerequisite for peace and prosperity. For any economic progress to occur, the security situation must be stabilized.

High levels of food insecurity now prevail due to low agricultural production as people continue to abandon the rural areas to flee the violence. Insecurity on major roads has disrupted transportation of goods to market. All these factors create inflationary pressures. With greater insecurity, international aid is increasingly diverted from development projects to humanitarian relief, further weakening the prospects of growth.

The TGoNU should be commended for the Draft Budget for 2016/17 tabled in Cabinet in October, which has cut expenditures by 50% in USD terms from the previous budget. Despite these deep cuts, however, only half of the spending is financed by revenues and grants. Only a small part of the remaining deficit is covered by the present financing plan. We hope that the TGoNU will come up with a plan to cover this shortfall.

The TGoNU has recently implemented two promising initiatives to better manage public finances. First, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning has introduced a cash budget which means spending is related to and controlled by actual cash available.

Second, the Bank of South Sudan has established a Treasury Single Account into which all government revenues are to be deposited and from which all government disbursements should be made. A Treasury Single Account is a key provision of Chapter IV of the Agreement and is a pillar of international good practice in financial management. Revenues and expenditures are now to be clearly and transparently presented and monitored.

Going forward, a long term horizon in economic policy is needed. The government sector will need to be downsized to a level that can be financed sustainably.

Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

This Peace Agreement and pursuit of its articles and instruments remains our best hope and opportunity to make progress towards a sustainable settlement.

The security and humanitarian situation is precarious but there are areas within the Agreement where progress is being made, however slight.

I make the following recommendations:

• Hostilities must end and the ceasefire must be observed by all Parties and armed groups with immediate effect;
• Inclusivity and representation within the political process and representation of all Parties within the Institutions and Mechanisms of the Agreement must be credibly and actively re-established as quickly as possible;
• The TGoNU is encouraged to assume a higher profile and a more visible stance in campaigning for peace among the citizens of South Sudan;
• The progress of the Transitional Security Arrangement Mechanisms, the Ministry of Finance and Bank of South Sudan is noted, recognised and further encouraged;
• The institutions of the Agreement and the formation of those envisioned should be expedited;
• The Regional Protection Force should be deployed as quickly as possible to establish a neutral and secure environment within which implementation of the Peace Agreement can continue.

Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

In conclusion, my expectations of this Plenary meeting are that:

• We continue to pronounce our commitment to this Peace Agreement and call upon all Parties to continue its implementation;
• We receive a detailed briefing from the TGoNU on progress made in implementing the Agreement to date, and in particular how they intend to make the process more inclusive;
• We receive an update on the current humanitarian situation from UNMISS and a clear commitment from the TGoNU to enable unhindered humanitarian assistance;
• We receive reports on the status of the various boards and commissions (JMCC, SDSRB, CTSAMM, JIP-MT) and their progress towards implementation of their tasks.

I must take this opportunity to thank all our partners in TGoNU, the other South Sudanese stakeholders, IGAD, AU, Troika, EU, China, UNMISS, the International partners and friends of South Sudan for their commitment and continued support.

The people of South Sudan look to us all to resolve the differences that will end this conflict and bring about a real prospect of peaceful and sustainable national development.

May God bless us all and guide us in the relentless pursuit of peace.

H.E. Festus Mogae

Chairperson, Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission