Concluding Remarks by H.E. Festus G. Mogae, Chairman of JMEC During The 18th Plenary Meeting of 12th July 2017
July 12,2017

Honorable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

  1. I thank you for the deliberations we have had today. I take note that we started a little bit late today, and therefore urge all members to endeavour to keep time in future meetings.
  2. Let me also thank Hon. Minister Martin Elia Lomuro, the TGoNUrepresentative, H.E David Shearer - the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG), and Chairpersons of the various boards and commissions who provided updates and briefings today.
  3. We take note of the TGoNU’s reported efforts to alleviate the humanitarian conditions in the country, their response to the AU Assembly pronouncement on South Sudan, and welcome the commitment of the AU to compliment the peace efforts in this country.
  4. We commend the TGoNU for its update on progress made in the National Dialogue initiative, and its stated commitment to the Agreement revitalisation process. We urge all Parties and estranged groups to seize this opportunity, engage honestly and return to implementation of the Peace Agreement.

5. We further commend the representative of the Women Bloc, madam

Amer Deng Yak for once again restating the importance of including the voices and interests of Women in all our mechanisms and processes. As a father of three girls, with one granddaughter, I align myself fully with women’s inclusion, engagement and participation, if we are to restore and sustain peace in this country.

Excellencies, Honorable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen; 6. In summary, we have;

  1. i)  Welcomed the IGAD Heads of State and Government decision to take steps to revitalise implementation of the Peace Agreement. In this regard, we congratulate H.E Ambassador Ismail Wais, the IGAD Special Envoy, welcome him to Juba today and pledge our full support to his mission to make this revitalisation process successful;
  2. ii)  Reiterated our call to all Parties, armed and estranged groups to cease hostilities, take advantage of the Revitalisation process, and make concrete proposals to achieve its objectives;
  3. iii)  received a briefing from the TGoNU and the UNMISS on the current humanitarian situation in the country, noted the steps being taken to address the crisis, the recurring challenges, gaps and note that more efforts is still needed to address this crisis;
  1. iv)  received reports from the CTSAMM, NCAC, JMCC, SDSR Board and take note of the modest progress that have been made. We urge all Agreement boards and commissions to take stock of implementation, and to make concrete proposals for the revitalisation process;
  2. v)  commended all the Chairpersons and members of the JMEC Working Committees and urged all Working Committees to prepare evaluation reports towards the revitalisation process; and
  3. vi)  we commended the TGoNU for welcoming the decision of the IGAD Heads of State and Government to revitalise implementation of the Peace Agreement;

7. Finally, join me in wishing our Lord Bishop, Rev. Enock Tombe, a very Happy Birthday on this very important day of his life. May God give him a long life to continue with his important and tireless work for peace in South Sudan.

I thank you

Statement by H.E. Festus G. Mogae, Chairman of JMEC, to the International Institute for Research and Development Peace Building Forum on 29th November 2016
November 29,2016

STATEMENT BY H.E. FESTUS G. MOGAE, CHAIRPERSON OF JMEC, TO THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PEACE BUILDING FORUM

H.E. James Wani Igga, The Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan; Honorable Ministers; Honorable Ambassadors; Professor Nega Abraham, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen;

I want to commend the conveners of this workshop for bringing together H.E., the Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, key Ministers, international partners and international academics to discuss the impact of peace on economic progress.

The theme of this workshop is what the comprehensive peace agreement is all about—building institutions for sustainable security in the country as well as building institutions for effective management of the economy and public finances.

South Sudan is in the throes of a deep economic crisis, the roots of which lie in a protracted war and previously poor fiscal and economic management. The economic situation interacts directly with the security situation. Security is a pre-requisite for a stable economy which in turn is a prerequisite for peace, development and prosperity. For any economic progress to occur, the security situation must be stabilized.

I will make my remarks here brief, but hope they will be taken up for discussion in the course of today’s workshop. There are three issues that need to be addressed in restarting the economic development in this country.

The first issue is: stabilizing the rural economy. Agriculture is undeniably the livelihood for most of the people of South Sudan. High levels of food insecurity now prevail due to low agricultural production as people continue to abandon the rural areas to flee violence. The violence and the economic crisis has created a downward spiral which needs to be arrested and reversed. The most immediate task the government must do is to ensure an uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid to the rural populace to sustain them in the rural areas. This will bring peace to the countryside which will stabilize the rural economy. International experience shows that for virtually all countries, economic growth was built on a productive agricultural sector.

The second issue is: putting public finances in order. Without prudent public financial management there cannot be economic progress. Recent budgets including the draft budget for 2016/17 have been worrisome: they involve large deficits; inflationary financing; and, expenditures for social services well below expectations and need. Financial mismanagement disrupts the economy and along with continued widespread violence, drives international partners away from providing the development assistance so gravely needed. International experience clearly shows that countries develop only if government finances are sustainable. The government of South Sudan must live within its means.

The third issue is: a sustainable strategy of development. Once the rural economy is stabilized and government finances are in order, South Sudan can embark on a strategy of sustainable development. This strategy should diversify the economy so to reduce reliance on oil and build on a productive agriculture sector complemented by light industry. To jumpstart this path of sustainable development will require international assistance and regional cooperation.

To conclude, fully implementing the peace agreement is essential to restarting economic growth in South Sudan. I therefore urge the TGoNU to fullfil its commitment to the agreement.

I thank you and hope that this workshop will have time to discuss the three issues I have raised.

Statement by H.E. Festus G. Mogae, Chairman of JMEC to the Chiefs Council of South Sudan on 27th November 2016
November 27,2016

STATEMENT BY H.E. FESTUS G. MOGAE, CHAIRPERSON OF JMEC TO THE CHIEFS COUNCIL OF SOUTH SUDAN

28 November, 2016, JUBA

President of the Chiefs Council of South Sudan, Chief Deng Macham Anduei; Honourable Ministers; Honourable Elders and Chiefs; Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen;

I am grateful for the opportunity of this important interaction that we, as JMEC, are having with you the Traditional Leaders of South Sudan.

I want to thank you most sincerely for inviting me and my Commission to meet with you today. This is an opportunity I have been waiting for, to exchange views and share notes with you on the most effective means of pursuing the peace process.

Traditional leaders play a vital leadership role in their communities just as elected representatives play a role in a modern democratic setting. We can all agree that traditional leaders have historically been effective mediators and adjudicators in their communities by implementing positive traditional forms of peacemaking, conflict resolution and intervention on behalf of victims of injustice.

I have come to appreciate that some communities in South Sudan have been targeted and violated because of ethnic association. Invariably, therefore, there can be no doubt that traditional leaders and institutions should play a key role in facilitating the process by which hostilities can be brought to an end, which would in turn bring about peace.

My main message to you is that JMEC recognizes your pivotal role as agents of peace and reconciliation in the country. Your efforts, in this regard must be sustained and enhanced.

I appeal to you, as I have done to the rest of the leaders of this country – to go all out and preach peace and reconciliation; to extend a hand of friendship to all, including estranged members of the Opposition, offering assurances of safety.

Your voice in promoting peace in South Sudan, as traditional leaders and community elders, must continue to be heard across the communities and throughout the country.

I have emphasized the principle of inclusivity in the South Sudan peace process. Equally, I recognize your role, as traditional leaders, to be central, in this instance

The key message I have sought to articulate regarding inclusivity is that it is not and should not be about individuals. It is and should be about communities and all other parties that have a stake in the peace process. It includes other political parties, church organizations, women, civil society organizations and the youth.

What we need, at this stage, is achieving maximum awareness about the peace Agreement among the communities. This is why nationwide campaigns for peace and reconciliation are critical.

As JMEC, we would want to join hands with you, Honourable Elders and Chief, in this noble task of reaching out to the people of South Sudan to offer them hope for peace and prosperity.

In conclusion, I thank you once again for initiating this opportunity for interaction.

I hope that today’s meeting becomes the beginning of a purposeful journey we will embark on, jointly, in pursuit of peace in South Sudan.

I thank you.

JMEC Chair's Statement to the JMEC Partner Meeting
July 31,2016

STATEMENT

BY

H.E. FESTUS G. MOGAE

CHAIRPERSON OF JMEC

TO THE

THE JMEC PARTNER’S MEETING

ON THE STATUS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT ON THE RESOLUTION OF THE CONFLICT IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN

 

31 JULY 2016

KHARTOUM, SUDAN

Honorable Ibrahim Ghandour, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sudan; His Excellency Zhong Jianhua, the Chinese Special Envoy for African Affairs;

Your Excellencies; Special Envoys;  

 

And Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen; 

  1. I thank you for continuing to convene this forum that supports the efforts of JMEC.  I very much welcome the opportunity to address you today.
  1. In the past weeks I have conducted high level engagements and consultations with regional leaders and international partners, and, most importantly, the leaders of South Sudan.
  1. We have endorsed the recommendations in the IGAD Plus Communiqué, and the AU Decisions adopted by the 27th AU Summit in Kigali.  I addressed both bodies and conducted numerous bilateral consultations.  I will continue to support these decisions as the guideline for our way forward.
  1. I have traveled back to Juba several times, and will continue to do so.  On the 25th of July I met with H.E. Salva Kiir, General Taben Deng, and the Ambassadors representing JMEC member states.  I continue to engage leaders of both parties and signatories to the Peace Agreement.
  1. I continue to urge the Parties to work within the framework of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.  This is critical especially now that there is an apparent division within the IO members.
  1. Indeed, there are serious concerns that we all share:  Is there an end in sight to the recent hostilities in Juba and other parts of the country? Is the recent appointment and swearing in of a First Vice President’s replacement a legitimate IO position or a violation of the agreement?
  1. What was this conflict all about, and what has changed since April 29th? What happened between July 6th to 11th? What are we seeing now in Juba, and what does this all mean for JMEC and the peace agreement going forward? These are all questions that I know many of you would want to ask me, and how I wish I had answers to them.
  1. I, just like all of you here understand that the peace agreement was not, and should not be about the two men: it is about bringing badly needed peace and stability to a young nation that is too familiar with war.
  1. In other words, nobody but the leaders of South Sudan know what is going on, and their end game plan.  What we know is that the current relative calm can be deceptive.  We know that forces of both parties, and others allied to them continue to clash throughout the country, with a likelihood of larger battles increasing everyday.
  1. While we don’t know the extent to which the SPLA-IO camp is in disarray, and who is in defacto control of the SPLA-IO now, what we know is that, it still retains the ability to conduct operations, and could threaten the relative calm of Juba, or revert to guerrilla warfare destabilizing different parts of the country.
  1. We must therefore do everything, within the powers of the international community, and the regional guarantors to the ARCSS, to prevent a relapse into full-scale war and salvage the Agreement.
  1. First, we must continue to engage Dr. Riek Machar, and understand the rules and regulations governing leadership changes within the SPLM-IO.
  1. Second, security is the sine qua non of any peace agreement, and it is no different here.  The fighting must stop, or the suffering of the people will continue to increase.
  1. Third, we must operationalize cantonment, and the eventual demobilization, disarmament and reintegration (DDR) of forces.
  1. The economy continues its descent to complete failure.  Further deterioration of the security environment could lead to the cessation of oil production, which would eliminate the one viable source of income to the government.  Of course, it will be difficult, if not impossible, for the IMF to move forward with assistance in the current situation.  This too exacerbates what is a state on the cusp of economic collapse.
  1. The humanitarian situation also continues to worsen, and the recent outbreak of cholera should be alarming to all.  Internally displaced persons and refugees continue to increase in numbers.  A return to normalcy seems as far away now as ever.
  1. Finally, while the situation is dire, it is not without hope.  We encourage, and welcome good faith efforts by both parties to resume implementation of the agreement.  We urge all leaders to step back from the abyss of a second civil war.  I stress again: South Sudan is a nation of 12 million people, whose future we must safeguard.
  1. The peace agreement, the Transitional Government of National Unity, are about the future of these millions, desperate for peace, afraid for their children, and increasingly living at one of the lowest levels of human security anywhere in the world.  This is not a legacy of which any leader can be proud.
  1. I want to conclude my remarks with several recommendations, in addition to the ones I have already stated regarding security.
  1. Going forward, I recommend that:
  1. JMEC Partners condemn in the strongest terms the recent armed confrontation between the SPLA-IG and SPLA-IO and call for a full investigation and accountability for those who bear responsibility.
  1. JMEC Partners urge the TGoNU of South Sudan to exercise its responsibility to protect its citizens from violence and ensure security for all.

III.        JMEC Partners call upon the parties to ensure the strict adherence by their respective forces to the Cessation of Hostilities and the Ceasefire and embark on full implementation of the Peace Agreement and its Transitional Security Arrangements.

  1. JMEC Partners call for immediate cantonment of armed forces throughout the country in accordance with the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Workshop provisions.
  1. JMEC Partners appeal to the International Community to take the necessary steps to address the dire humanitarian situation, and urge the TGoNU to ensure full, safe and unhindered access of humanitarian workers and timely delivery of humanitarian assistance to affected internally displaced persons (IDPs) and put in place measures to provide protection and non-interference with humanitarian equipment and supplies.
  1. JMEC Partners endorse the deployment of an international protection force to guarantee the protection of civilians, the return of Dr. Machar to Juba, and the resumption of implementation of the Peace Agreement.

VII.        JMEC Partners condemn in the strongest possible terms the continuing obstruction of CTSAMM-MVTs by State agents from implementing their tasks and mandate, and call upon the TGoNU to issue the necessary orders to guarantee CTSAMM freedom of movement.

VIII.        JMEC Partners should remind the Parties to adhere to their commitment to the Peace Agreement, and reiterate that it provides the best opportunity for South Sudanese stakeholders to amicably settle their differences, promote reconciliation and build sustainable peace. 

Mr. Chairman;

  1. Finally, I plead with the JMEC Partners to remain seized of the situation in South Sudan, and to take all necessary measures, to ensure full implementation and adherence, by the Parties to the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.

I thank you.

Copyright © 2022 Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC). All rights reserved.