CLOSING STATEMENT BY

H.E. AMBASSADOR BERHANU KEBEDE

CHIEF OF STAFF
OF THE
JOINT MONITORING & EVALUATION COMMISSION

AT THE
END OF PHASE II OF THE HIGH-LEVEL REVITALIZATION FOURM

Wednesday, 23MAY 2018 ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

H.E Chairperson, IGAD Council of Ministers
H.E Dr. Mousa Faki, Chairperson African Union Commission H.E Dr. Ismail Wais, IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, Your Excellencies,
Heads of Delegation,
Distinguished Participants
Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Your Excellency, 

1. On behalf of our JMEC Chairman His Excellency Festus Mogae it is my privilege to address you all on the final day of the Forum. 


2. I wish to take this opportunity to commend the IGAD Council of Ministers, for coming up with their concrete proposals aimed at bridging the gap between the parties, their continued leadership and tireless efforts pursuant to the revitalisation mandate. 


3. I wish also to commend H.E Dr. Ismail Wais, the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, for his resolute commitment towards a successful outcome of this process. 


4. I further commend the South Sudan Council of Churches for their determined efforts to bring all the parties closer to the realization of peace. 


5.Finally let me again thank the African Union, the United Nations, TROIKA, China, European Union, and all our interntional partners and friends of South Sudan for their unwavering support to the Forum and to the people of South Sudan. 

Excellencies, Distinguished Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen, 

6. Last week as we reconvened for this phase of the revitalization, the JMEC Chairman expressed his firm belief that you would be able to overcome all the outstanding issues, if you put the interest of the country first. While we may not have fully succeeded in acheiving our goal this time, I must continue to stress the need for compromise in the pursuit of lasting peace. 


7. It is time to end the suffering. You heard for yourselves the deep yearning for peace by all the people of South Sudan, which was so eloquently expressed in the voices of the representatives of the refugees. We cannot and should not turn a deaf ear to these ever widening cries and pleas for peace. 


8. Rather than continue on the destructive path of conflict, I urge you to invest your energy to make the best use of your resources for the good of all the people of South Sudan. To this end, you must reafirm your commitment, not only in word, but by concrete action to adhere to and fully observe the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. By so doing, you would have set the basis for, and provide the best guarantee to bring lasting peace to your beautiful country. 


9. In this regard, we welcome the signing of the addendum to the CoHA 2017 which fully operationalizes the CTSAMM Board, in an inclusive manner, and which will enhance monitoring and verification of compliance or lack thereof by all parties. 


Excellencies, Distinguished Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen, 

10. Make no mistake this past week will be remembered as one in which you all stood together with the support of the regional and international partners. However, many will be dissapointed that full agreement was not reached. Consequently, you have to continue working together in the best interest of your country. 


11.  You must therefore go the extra mile and reaffirm your commitment to this most noble of ideals the realization of lasting peace. Under these circumstances, the bridging proposals submitted by the IGAD Council provide the best opportunity to accommodate each other through compromise and realise your ultimate objective of sustainable peace. 


12.  Even as we leave this venue let us be reminded that this is a journey yet to be completed. Time is no longer on your side and therefore you must not grow weary in your pursuits. At this point in time nothing is more important to the citizens of South Sudan than the realization of a lasting and comprehensive peace. Therefore, through your actions in the days and weeks ahead give them the assurance that you will not relent until and unless peace becomes a reality. 


13. In closing, I must remind you that ending the conflict will bring with it opportunities to rebuild your shattered economy, return millions of refugees to their homes, hold free and fair elections, and set the foundation for growth and prosperity in which all citizens can participate fully. May God bless us all. Thank You. 


Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press,

1. I welcome you all to this Press Conference,

2. First and foremost, I take this opportunity to convey my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, to the Transitional Government of National Unity and the people of South Sudan on the passing of the Late Gen. James Ajongo Mawut, the fomer Chief of Defence Forces of the SPLA and the Late Gen. Andrew Makur Thou, former representative of Eminent Personalities to JMEC.

3. May the Almighty grant them and those other South Sudanese who have also lost their lives, eternal peace. I also want to take this opportunity to wish all the brave mothers and women of South Sudan, a happy Mother’s Day which we marked yesterday.

4. You will recall that our last JMEC Plenary was held in November 2017. We agreed to postpone the December Plenary to enable us all to focus our energies in preparation for the then forthcoming High-Level Revitalisation Forum scheduled to be convened in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

5. It was our expectation that the Revitalisation Forum would quickly conclude and agree on concrete measures to restore the permanent ceasefire, a fully inclusive security and governance arrangement, and revised timelines and implementation schedules.

6. You will further recall that Phase 1 of the HLRF was successfully convened in Addis Ababa Ethiopia from December 18-22, 2017 at which the parties and stakeholders signed an inclusive Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access (COHA).

7. Again, it was our expectation then that the Forum would quickly reconvene in early January 2018 to conclude all the outstanding issues. This did not happen.

8. Instead, the second phase of the Forum took place from February 5th-16th 2018 and adjourned without conclusive outcomes. Following consultations with JMEC members here in Juba, we agreed that the plenary planned for February 27th be postponed in order to consult with the Parties and IGAD Leadership.

9. However, political developments within the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia delayed the consultations. I shall also brief the new Ethiopian Prime Minister, H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Chairperson of IGAD and seek further guidance.

Members of the Press,

10. JMEC has never suspended its work, nor has it abdicated its responsibility here in Juba. JMEC members have been at the forefront, individually and collectively supporting the HLRF process. We were mandated by the IGAD Heads of State in June 2017 to provide secretariat support to the IGAD Council of Ministers in this endeavor.

11. Consequently, it cannot be business as usual here in Juba during this period of revitalization. Our Secretariat is the core of the HLRF Taskforce, working with the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan. The revitalization of the implementation of the peace Agreement is and remains our top priority.

12. Let me reiterate JMEC’s position: the status quo is not inclusive and cannot bring sustainable peace. It was we who recommended to the IGAD summit that the peace Agreement must be revitalized to restore a permanent ceasefire and achieve inclusivity.

13. All our efforts, focus and energies therefore should be dedicated to the successful conclusion of the revitalisation process and to ensure a return to full and inclusive implementation of the Agreement.

14. The Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA), signed on 21st December 2017, has not had the desired impact of halting the violence. There have been serious violations of the CoHA since it came into force.

15. I continue to urge the parties to adhere to the CoHA. The parties must refrain from all acts of violence, cease hostilities and take immediate steps to investigate and punish those responsible within their ranks.

16. The humanitarian needs remain dire. About 4.2 million people remain displaced, 2.4 million of whom are in neighbouring countries. According to the UN, seven million people in South Sudan need humanitarian assistance. Food insecurity is widespread and it is estimated that 6.3 million people are severely food insecure.

17. The costs of the conflict to civilians continue to rise. A report by the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan (dated March 2018) documents the perpetration of gross human rights abuses with impunity.

18. Denial of and obstruction to humanitarian access remains a constant issue. So far this year, three aid workers have been killed and 23 aid workers detained. These impediments to humanitarian access are a violation of the CoHA and the 2015 Peace Agreement. This is unacceptable.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press,

19. On the economy, the situation is not any better. The net disposable revenues available to finance the TGoNU’s 2017/18 budget have declined markedly due to repayment of arrears, resulting in an increased deficit. The agreed payment of arrears in oil production fees and tariffs is estimated at USD 290m. South Sudan presently delivers around two thirds of the government’s share of oil production to Sudan in kind, and despite a marked rise in international oil prices in the last six months, this situation results in a very small impact on the Government’s cash flow. Payments resulting from the previous years’ default will continue to weigh down on net revenues until the total amount of arrears are paid, around the middle of next year.

20. The exchange rate against the US dollar continues to deteriorate, despite government efforts at the start of this year to curb activity in the black market and increase the availability of foreign currency. Combined with the deficit budget financing, this has served to fuel inflation. The inflation rate increased in March 2018 to 160 per cent compared to the same time last year.

21. Some progress has been made by the TGoNU in phasing out the fuel subsidy scheme, but more remains to be done in order to realise the level of savings that can assist in reducing government salary and payment arrears. In addition, there continues to be a reduction, and in some cases elimination, of investment spending, which has severe negative impacts on prospects for growth.

22. Furthermore, spending cuts have come about through successive postponements of public sector salary payments, and that combined with the severe inflation adds to a deepening sense of anxiety and insecurity among large parts of society. We cannot therefore, overemphasize the need for the parties at the Forum to end this conflict and embark on programmes for economic recovery, reform and development.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press,

23. We have submitted the most recent JMEC Quarterly Report covering the period from

1st December 2017 to 31st March 2018. I hope everyone has received a copy. The report is also published on our website for all to read. It highlights our work in the last three months and our contribution to the High Level Revitalisation process.

24. The Secretariat has also conducted several outreach activities to the South Sudanese civil society and stakeholders. We have printed and disseminated over 1000 copies of the newly signed COHA 2017, continue to create awareness and provide updates on the ongoing agreement implementation and the revitalization process.

25. We continue to receive reports from the various institutions and mechanisms of the Agreement and support their work. We are mindful that all agreement institutions and mechanisms, including JMEC, shall be reconstituted in an inclusive manner, when the revitalisation process succeeds.

26. The NCAC completed the Constitutional Amendment Bill and submitted it to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs on April 13th, 2017. The Bill was approved by the TGoNU Council of Ministers in November 2017. I am informed that at long last, the Amendment Bill was submitted by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs to the TNLA for ratification on April 30th, 2018. I urge the Parliament to expedite the ratification.

27. The NCAC also completed drafting amendments to the five (5) security related laws and presented the Amendment Bills to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs on 25th January 2018.

28. The NCAC is currently undertaking the review and amendment of two election– related laws, the Political Parties Act, 2012 and the National Elections Act, 2012. 

29. Finally, the continuation of Phase II of the High Level Revitalisation Forum is expected to reconvene in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia this week from May 17th to 21st.

30. This country has missed so many opportunities to make durable peace and we should not allow the HLRF to be squandered. This is the time for all parties at the forum to put the interest of the country first and make compromises necessary to achieve resolution of all the outstanding issues.

31. I want to appeal directly to the authorities here in Juba, and to all the opposition groups that you are all South Sudanese, and I urge you all to accommodate one another, to end this senseless violence.

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press,

32. In conclusion, I want to observe and recommend the following:

a. The parties continue to wage a campaign of defiance and commit human rights abuses with impunity. This is unacceptable and I call on IGAD to make good its promise to hold spoilers accountable.

b. Full compliance and enforcement of the COHA 2017 is therefore critical to build confidence and provide an enabling environment during the revitalization process. This has not been the case for the past rounds of talks and I urge parties to cease all hostilities.

c. CTSAMM has been significantly strengthened under the COHA 2017 to report expeditiously to the IGAD Council of Ministers and JMEC simultaneously and to date we have received 19 reports for which action is required.

d.  The political and security situation remains uncertain. The humanitarian and economic situation remains dire. We risk further deterioration if urgent steps are not taken to end the conflict immediately. The country must embark on an inclusive peace process, as there can be no military solution to this conflict.

e. I commend all JMEC members, regional and international partners for their active support to JMEC and the revitalization process. I urge them all to

remain engaged, to ensure that the current momentum is sustained and peace is restored.

May God bless us all. Thank you.

TGoNU Representative

Mr Lansana Wonneh, The Deputy Country Representative of UN WOMEN-South Sudan

Ms. Amer Deng- the Representative of Women’s Bloc of South Sudan,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen;

 Good morning!

Let me start by thanking UN Women and Women’s Bloc of South Sudan for partnering with JMEC in convening this very important workshop on the The High Level Revitalization Forum on the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict Resolution in South Sudan.  Information about the content and procedures of the process is key to enabling women’s effective participation.

I would like to congratulate IGAD and the Special Envoy for South South, Dr.Ismail Wais for ensuring that women were consulted in the pre forum stage of the HLRF process and for the increased number of accredited women and civil society delegates. This is in keeping with South Sudan’s gender policies as well as regional and international standards on gender inclusion in peace processes.  JMEC remains committed to promoting women’s participation in peace-building and conflict resolution processes and joins UN Women and Women’s Organizations across South Sudan in pressing for progress in this effort and in our monitoring mandate.

As you are aware, the High Level Revitalization Forum commenced in Addis Ababa in December 2017. During the first phase of the Forum, the parties committed themselves to end the fighting. Consequently, all parties signed an Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access (CoHA), signed on 21st December 2017. This was an important first step in laying the foundation for revitalisation of the Peace Agreement.

 The Women’s Bloc and representatives of Civil Society provided a critical voice during the negotiations on the CoHA and therefore must devise ways of remaining engaged to monitor its implementation. I am informed that part of your deliberations at this workshop will focus on the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and its implementation.

It is my hope, and that of JMEC’s that this workshop will not only equip you with the information you need but also help strengthen your role in contributing to the HLRF’s intended outcome of a revitalized Peace Agreement as well as robust and effective implementation with the ultimate goal of sustainable peace fro South Sudan. 

 I wish you fruitful deliberations.

 Thank you very much.

Good people of South Sudan,

I read recently an inspiring story about a little town in Unity State. The town is called Ganyeil. It is impoverished, very hard to access, surrounded by swampland and constantly under threat of flooding and the loss of their invaluable harvest.

But here, at the very centre of a country torn apart by civil conflict, protected by the natural defence of the marshes, lies an oasis of peace; an island of tranquillity. A population of forty thousand residents live and subsist happily together with what little they have.

What is particularly remarkable about Ganyeil, however, is that it is an openly inter-ethnic community. People freely trade, socialise and indeed marry without concern for their background or origin. It is reported that, despite its isolation, or perhaps because of it, people from all backgrounds move there to enjoy a life free from violence and oppression.

Ganyeil stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration. Protected and removed from war, violence and conflict, South Sudanese people live together as normally as any others. At the grass roots of community life, South Sudan is a peaceful, inclusive, considerate and tolerant society.

Psalm 133 reads, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity. It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down on the collar of his robes. For then the Lord has commanded the blessing, ‘life forevermore’.”

At Christmas time, millions of people around the world revisit and re-examine their faith. We return each year to the same simple message of the gospel that underpins our lives

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John, Chapter 3, Verse 16.

As so it is here in South Sudan, that this Christmas we are revisiting and revitalising the peace process that began two and half years ago but which has thus far delivered so little.

In the space of these two years since the signing of the Peace Agreement, the number of refugees, violently displaced and sheltering in neighbouring countries, has doubled. I need no other statistic to underline the tragedy that has unfolded here.

But as I promised you this time last year, I have worked tirelessly to help South Sudan to implement the Peace Agreement and sustain a pathway to peaceful political cooperation.

In March of this year, I proposed and led a One Voice initiative designed to bring regional and international leaders and stakeholders together and present a unified call to end the fighting, ensure humanitarian support without hindrance and restore inclusive governance.

In June of this year we recommended to IGAD that they should launch the revitalisation process – to restore energy, prominence and commitment to the implementation of the Peace Agreement. Huge efforts have been made by IGAD and the region to bring the leaders of South Sudan around the table and to navigate that pathway to peace.

The High Level Revitalisation Forum is now underway. Dialogue has returned to South Sudan. It will take time but we will not relent until we have restored our faith in the peaceful resolution of our differences.

But like the people of Ganyeil, I urge you all to play your part in this peace revitalisation. Each and every one of us can be the change we seek through our daily words and actions.

We can reject violence each and every day; we can reconcile with our neighbours and within our communities; we can support each other and work together.

The first two years of your nationhood showed you all exactly what is possible, economically and socially. South Sudan is a beautiful and bountiful country blessed by the presence of the Nile and with unimaginable potential and prospects enough for you all. Only belligerence stands between you and a prosperous, peaceful future.

I leave you with a passage from St John’s first Epistle, Chapter 3, verses 16 – 18:

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”

As we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace again this Christmas Day, I urge each of you to re-light a candle of peace in your homes. Allow that candle to burn; revitalise your faith; pledge a message of peace to your neighbour; and bless 2018 with a renewed spirit of forgiveness, reconciliation, and healing.

I wish you all a happy Christmas and I wish us all a very peaceful new year.

God bless us all in the relentless pursuit of peace.

The Representative of the UNDP,

Representatives of the South Sudan Civil Society

Dear Participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Good afternoon!

Let me start by congratulating all of you participants for attending this three-day Civil Society advocacy training workshop on the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS). I have been briefed on the presentations and fruitful deliberations that you have had, since Wednesday when I opened the workshop.

You have covered a great deal on how best you can speak with one voice and advocate for your rights as the civil society of this country and also had discussions on the Evaluation Report recently produced by JMEC. In addition, I am also informed that the discussions you have had, on the implementation of the Agreement have enabled you to find out ways and opportunities in which you can best engage in a more inclusive and participatory way in the implementation of the Peace Agreement going forward.

I am now confident that you appreciate the modest progress that has been made, the huge challenges that we continue to face together, and reflected on what you as the civil society can do better to support the TGoNU, JMEC and all the other institutions and mechanisms of the Agreement, to deliver on their mandate.

As the Civil Society, you should always be the bridge in your society. You are that public space between the state, the market and the ordinary households in which people can constructively debate and tackle issues.

A vibrant and constructive civil society voice is therefore critical for the realisation of peace, promotion of good governance, democratisation and the rule of law in any country.

The ARCSS if implemented is a foundational stone upon which sustainable peace can be built in this country. For this to happen, the civil society must collectively and continuously;

advocate for the rights of the ordinary citizens, be a watch dog against violation of human rights, educate the population on their rights and responsibilities, hold the leaders accountable, agitate for peaceful resolution of conflicts and dialogue, mobilise the communities and various constituents to participate in governance and development processes, and

Above all, you should be the social capital and a force for good. The civil society must rally on a common goal, set better standards, and rise above all social, political and economic vices like tribalism, partisanship and corruption-to mention but a few.

Finally, let us all use the knowledge we have acquired during this workshop to build a strong, independent, vibrant civil society voice to persuade the parties to the Agreement to honour their commitments and fully implement the Peace Agreement.

With these few remarks, it is my pleasure to declare this civil society orientation and advocacy workshop closed.

Thank you very much and God Bless