Honorable Ministers, Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
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I wish to start by welcoming all of you to the second RJMEC Plenary. The implementation of the revitalized Peace Agreement is beginning to gather pace and momentum, and I thank all RJMEC members for your contribution in this regard.
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The success of the Peace Agreement lies in the hard work and commitment of all those who have given their time and effort in the name of peace in South Sudan. I hope the people of this country will soon begin to enjoy the peace dividends.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
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Ending the suffering of the people of South Sudan is not a soundbite to be repeated endlessly – it is the most legitimate goal we aspire to. With this in mind, I wish to turn to a more detailed assessment of where we are today.
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The last Plenary was a successful event at which the Rules of Procedure and key resolutions were adopted, and I thank you all for your positive engagement to achieve this outcome.
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When we met last time, JMEC was reconstituted. This gives us not only the legal competence to discharge our mandate, but it also energizes us to approach our work with the determination and commitment befitting the role we have to play.
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More broadly, the process of implementation so far has seen many Agreement institutions and mechanisms either set up or reconstituted in order for them to perform their duties.
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Sitting above them all is the National Pre–Transitional Committee (NPTC). This is one of the most important institutions, as it coordinates and oversees implementation of crucial pre-transitional activities. This is an institution from which much is expected and will require our collective support.
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The NPTC has been set up, some funds have been pledged by the government and accounts have been opened. The NPTC has provided some commendable support to the representatives of the opposition parties returning to Juba, both in terms of security clearance and accommodation.
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9. The NPTC and the incumbent TGoNU should take the lead in mobilizing all requisite resources for implementation, establish effective mechanisms for disbursing funds, and support the other mechanisms of the Agreement to carry out their tasks without delay.
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10. I expect to hear from the NPTC Chairperson on the status of the Committee’s progress to date, including whether pledges of funds have been fulfilled and how it has mapped out the sequencing of all Pre-Transitional activities.
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11. Going forward, I would request the NPTC and all Agreement institutions to submit their monthly written reports to RJMEC to enable us to assess progress in advance of the next Plenary. We are fully behind the NPTC and reiterate our appeal to our friends and partners to contribute funds and support to the NPTC.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
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12. I am glad to inform you that the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) has equally made some commendable progress. The Committee spent three weeks in November meeting daily and diligently to incorporate provisions of the R-ARCSS into the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan 2011 (as amended)
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13. This was an invaluable exercise that required the cooperation of different representatives of the Parties and stakeholders, some of whom travelled from outside the country to participate in a spirit of trust–building and we must commend them for a job well done. We will hear a more detailed account from the Chairperson of NCAC shortly.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
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14. When we last met, I urged that the Technical Boundaries Committee (TBC) be formed. Unfortunately, not all the committee members made it to Juba as was expected last week. However, although there was no quorum, I am pleased to report that the TBC members present held preliminary discussions on their terms of reference and rules of procedure. I expect that the TBC, once constituted, will quickly commence their work.
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15. I am also pleased to report that all the transitional security arrangement mechanisms were established or reconstituted at the end of last month in Khartoum. These are the Joint Defense Board (JDB), the Joint Military Ceasefire Commission (JMCC), the Joint Transitional Security Committee (JTSC), and the Strategic Defense and Security Review Board (SDSRB). Plans have been made for all of them to hold their first meetings in Juba this month.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
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16. I cannot stress enough the importance of these security institutions, especially the JDB. While meeting within the confines of Juba or another regional capital is one thing, the complete silencing of guns throughout the entire country is needed for us to be able to talk of sustainable peace. Any bullet fired in anger is a step backwards for South Sudan as a whole, and I wish to impress upon the JDB that their cooperation and leadership is critical to the successful implementation of the entire Peace Agreement.
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17. However, I must stress that all institutions and mechanisms are important and those that are yet to be set up should be expedited and operationalized immediately.
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18. In particular, seeing some of the TBC members assemble to assess their tasks was encouraging, but now I urge that the Independent Boundaries Committee (IBC) likewise be set up so that the two can fulfil their complementary tasks. Steps must also be taken to recover time lost.
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19. We all understand that funding will always be an issue and that effective implementation of these tasks requires resources. Therefore, I urge that we spare no effort and do whatever is possible within the available means.
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20. This notwithstanding, we will continue to appeal for financial support to our international partners and friends, to whom we offer our heartfelt thanks for assistance already given, though we know the final responsibility lies with the incumbent TGoNU.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
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21. I wish to commend CTSAMVM for its continued commitment and work. Without its ongoing rhythm of monitoring and verification, our access to and understanding of the facts on the ground would be much harder.
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22. There have been successful Joint Field Visits consisting of meetings between commanders of the warring Parties outside of Juba, such as in Yei, Panyume, and Wau. The CTSAMVM report will provide more details.
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23. CTSAMVM has reported that the overall security trend is one of improvement with the Parties demonstrating an effort to comply with the terms of the Peace Agreement.
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24. However, it is concerning that CTSAMVM reports evidence of non-compliance in the recruitment of child soldiers. The report by CTSAMVM provides details.
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25. I am deeply concerned that CTSAMVM’s access to key parts of the country has been blocked at times by the SSPDF and SPLM/SPLA- IO, and that outbreaks of fighting continue to occur in the hot spots around Wau, Bentiu and Yei.
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26. Some commanders on the ground continue to claim that they have not received instructions to allow CTSAMVM access to verify their forces. Now that the JDB has been established, I expect proper command and control to take effect and I also expect the JDB to hold non-compliant commanders to account.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
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27. Ongoing instability, even if within an overall trend of improvement, has a direct negative impact on the humanitarian situation in the country.
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28. This is a time of challenge. The appalling reports of rape and violence in Bentiu are a direct affront to the safety and dignity that the Peace Agreement is supposed to bring to all people, especially women and children.
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29. I must also add that gender parity needs prioritizing and must be carried out in real and quantifiable terms. Gender mainstreaming must be incorporated in all Agreement institutions and mechanisms and throughout all aspects of implementation.
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30. A responsible media must be allowed the space to operate and contribute to the process of creating a common understanding of the implementation of the Peace Agreement.
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31. Ongoing pockets of conflict, wherever they take place, contravene the spirit of reconciliation and application of justice, required by its provisions.32. Continued denial of humanitarian access where it occurs, preventing the delivery of vital assistance to people in desperate need, likewise contravenes the letter and spirit of the Agreement.
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33. I am aware of the leadership dispute within the SSOA, and I wish to call upon the leaders to amicably resolve their differences.
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34. According to OCHA, 7 million people are in need of humanitarian aid. Over 4 million South Sudanese have fled their homes, and more than half of them to neighboring countries. Although the data available at this time does not indicate a large–scale return of refugees or IDPs, it is my hope that they will be able to return soon.
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35. Delivery of humanitarian aid remains difficult. Data from OCHA shows that since the signing of the Revitalized Agreement, there has been a reported monthly average of around 60 access impediments and three aid workers have lost their lives.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
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36. On the economic front, there is some positive news. The incumbent TGoNU has come a long way towards achieving economic stability during the last two years. The exchange rate strengthened markedly from the beginning of this financial year and has subsequently stabilized. The annual rate of inflation has come down from more than 500% in October 2016 to around 40% currently.
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37. These gains must now be consolidated, because several important development challenges lie ahead, which include facilitating the return of refugees and IDPs, restoring social services, and rebuilding infrastructure.
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38. With the recent launch of the National Development Strategy, the Incumbent TGoNU is putting in place a framework for the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement to support the long- term growth and development of the country.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
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39. It has been a busy time for the RJMEC Secretariat. We continue our process of engagement with the government and other key partners, including the African Union, the UN family, and the international community. Since our last Plenary, we have had meetings with the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, with the AU–C5 Ambassadors, and a delegation from the UN Department of Political Affairs.
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40. The Secretariat has developed a strategic plan which will be presented shortly. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who assisted the Secretariat in this process and look forward to their continued support.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
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41. Finally, I wish to close with my hopes and expectations for the days ahead and in the new year. As I said earlier, security is an essential component of the peace agreement and I expect the full implementation of the permanent ceasefire and transitional security arrangements.
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42. The establishment and operationalization of the different agreement institutions and mechanisms should be expedited and completed without delay. I expect that we will commence the New Year at full capacity and use every single day to compensate for lost time.
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43. Christmas is a season for goodwill, and I call upon all Parties to continue reaching out to one another, engage in more confidence building measures, and I also appeal for any prisoners of war and political detainees not yet released to be freed.
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44. I wish all of us fruitful deliberations today.
May God bless us all. Thank you.
Your Excellency, Dr Ismail Wais, IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan Honorable Ministers,
Your Excellencies,
Distinguised Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your Excellency, Dr Ismail Wais,
1. Let me start by taking this opportunity to thank you for reconstituting JMEC. I join you in welcoming all the members of the reconstituted JMEC to this very first Plenary.
2. I congratulate the people of South Sudan, the government and the opposition parties for choosing the path of peace and for the historic signing of the Revitalized Agreement on 12 September 2018, here in Addis Ababa.
3. May I also congratulate all of you for being nominated as members to this esteemed body. I commend the leadership of IGAD, and the Special Envoy for South Sudan and his Taskforce for their commitment, and the regional and international community for their support which led to the successful conculsion of the revitalization process.
4. I also seize this oppportunity to pay tribute to His Excellency Festus Mogae, former President of Botswana and former Chairperson of JMEC, for his wise decision to recommend the revitalization of the 2015 Peace Agreement. His leadership and support throughout the revitalization process was instrumental in its eventual success.
Honorable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
5. Allow me to also personally thank the IGAD Council of Ministers, for entrusting me with this noble responsibility as Interim Chairperson of the reconstituted JMEC.
6. Having worked with His Excellency Festus Mogae for the last two years at JMEC as his deputy, I am fully aware of the enormity of this responsibility. Therefore, I call upon your full support and cooperation, so that the reconstituted JMEC can deliver on its mandate.
7. Last Friday, I had the honour of addressing the 66th Extra-Ordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers, from which I can assure you that there is a high level of expectation placed in reconstituted JMEC by the IGAD member states. The Council of Ministers welcomed the progress in implementation made so far by the South Sudanese parties and stakeholders, and expect this momentum to be maintained. The Council also urged the Parties to observe the 35% quota of women in all Agreement institutions.
8. This august body is now reconstituted, made more inclusive, and bestowed with significant power and responsibility to monitor the Parties’ and stakeholders’ adherence to the implementation of the revitalized Peace Agreement. I can assert that we have the attention of the region as well as the people of South Sudan, and we must do our utmost to deliver.
9. To facilitate the smooth and effective implementation of the Peace Agreement, I appeal to all of you to use both the reconstituted JMEC Plenary meetings and the Office of the Chairperson to resolve any issues that might arise. I look forward to holding our future Plenaries in Juba.
Honorable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
10. It is slightly over 60 days since the R-ARCSS came into effect and the Secretariat has been keenly monitoring the status of implementation, which we have summarized in three reports issued so far. There is no doubt that some commendable progress has been made in the implementation of agreed tasks, within the timeline prescribed in the Agreement.
11. Amongst the key tasks completed so far are:
a. Ratification of the Revitalized Agreement by the Parties;
b.Nominations by the Parties and stakeholders of their representatives to various institutions and mechanisms;
c. Establishment and reconstitution of the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), the National Pre-Transitional Committee (NPTC), and the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC);
12. All the above reconstituted institutions and mechanisms have already commenced their work and are making good progress delivering on their mandates.
13. However, there are some key pending tasks as of today.
These include:
a. Establishment of new institutions such as the Independent Boundaries Commission (IBC), the Technical Boundaries Committee (TBC), the Joint Defense Board (JDB), and the Joint Transitional Security Committee (JTSC), which are critical for implementation of some Pre-Transitional activities.
b. Reconstitution of the Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) Board, the Joint Military Ceasefire Commission (JMCC), and the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (DDRC).
14. I would like to make clear that the formation of the IBC and TBC, two critical institutions for the Pre-Transitional period, are long overdue. However, I welcome the Council of Ministers’ decision last Friday to urgently take steps to expedite their establishment.
15. Despite the overall decline in ceasefire violations and humanitarian access problems, I am concerned both by the reported fighting that took place in the areas of Wau and Yei River State, and the denial of humanitarian access, such as in the area of Rubkuay, Unity State, last month.
16. I understand that some of those involved in the fighting were non- signatories to the Peace Agreement. In this regard, I welcome the decision of the IGAD Council of Ministers taken at the 66th Extra-ordinary Session to invite the non-signatories to join in its implementation. The ceasefire and humanitarian access must be complete throughout the country and without exception for the people of South Sudan to live in safety and dignity.
17. However, I am encouraged by the Parties’ joint efforts to build confidence through visits to hot spots, and to de-escalate the fighting. CTSAMVM will provide a detailed briefing shortly.
Honorable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen
18. I am greatly encouraged by the demonstrable political will of the Parties to implement the Peace Agreement in letter and spirit.
19. Even as we gather here today, many of the opposition leaders and representatives have returned to Juba and are actively participating in the NPTC and NCAC, in the spirit of the Peace Agreement. The Chairpersons of CTSAMVM and the NCAC will shortly give their progress reports on the implementation of their respective tasks.
20. As we witnessed during the Peace Celebrations in Juba, as well as elsewhere in the country, the people of South Sudan have embraced the revitalized Peace Agreement. The Parties must now fulfil the people’s aspiration for peace and make it a reality.
21. I commend His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, his brother Dr Riek Machar Teny and the leadership of the different parties for this renewed spirit of collaboration. I further encourage South Sudanese leaders to explore more joint initiatives for confidence building including outside Juba, in the States and in neighbouring countries where significant numbers of South Sudanese citizens temporarily reside.
Honorable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen
22. Let me take this opportunity to address our partners, the regional and international community represented here. You have stood side by side with the people of South Sudan from the beginning and therefore, we welcome your continued support at this critical hour of need and hope.
23. This revitalized agreement has the necessary checks and balances to ensure its full implementation. Unlike the 2015 Peace Agreement, this Agreement has a number of activities to be conducted within eight months to demonstrate the commitment of the Parties.
24. While the government in Juba is expected to lead the way, the prescribed tasks can only be sufficiently accomplished with your backing.
25. I commend the South Sudanese government for its initial contribution to the National Pre-Transitional Committee Fund (NPTF) of SSP 100 million and USD 1 million, and I urge the government to continue its funding of the key Pre-Transitional activities as the onus to do so lies with the government.
26. I also appeal to our international partners: the Troika, the EU, China, the UN, and all the members of the International Partners Forum to extend the requisite support to the government and to all the Pre-Transitional institutions and mechanisms.
Honorable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen
27. In conclusion, I look forward to working very closely with all of you, in a collaborative and collegial manner, and I pledge our total commitment to support the Parties to implement this agreement in letter and spirit.
28. I expect this inaugural Plenary to review and endorse our Rules of Procedure and Resolutions template as well as receive progress reports from the NCAC and the CTSAMVM.
May God bless us all. Thank you.
-Your Excellency,the Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers,
- Your Excellency,the Chairperson of the African Union Commission,
- Your Excellencies,Members of the Council,
- Your Excellency,IGAD Executive Secretary,
- Your Excellency,IGAD Special Envoy for SouthSudan
- Honorable Ministers,
- Your Excellencies,
- Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your Excellency the Chairman
1. I thank you for inviting me to address the 66th Extra-Ordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers. As the newly appointed Acting Chairperson of JMEC, I feel honored to continue with the passionate work of H.E. Festus Mogae, former President of the Republic of Botswana, and former Chairperson of JMEC.
2. His Excellency’s recommendation and support of the revitalization of the Peace Agreement was a watershed moment for the peace process in South Sudan. However, the level of success could not have been achieved without the support of this Council.
Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen,
3. I am pleased to report that there has been significant progress in the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, and the Parties to the Agreement have participated in a series of confidence building measures. JMEC believes that the momentum can be maintained. However, we would like to observe this is only but the beginning of the long road in the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement.
4. Key developments have already started taking place, including the ratification of the revitalized Peace Agreement by the Parties and the Transitional National Legislature. Nomination of the parties’ and stakeholders’ representatives to the various Agreement Institutions and Mechanisms have been received and some have been either established or reconstituted.
5.The National Pre-Transition Committee (NPTC) has been established and is operational. The National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) and the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Monitoring and Verification Mechanisms (CTSAMVM) have been reconstituted and both have embarked on implementing their mandates.
6. This amounts to impressive progress in terms of trust- and confidence-building. I commend H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit and other political leaders of South Sudan for what they have achieved to date and urge them to sustain their commitment and the spirit of collaboration and cooperation as exhibited thus far.
7. I further commend the Parties who have released prisoners of war and/or political detainees pursuant to the spirit of the Revitalized Peace Agreement. I appeal to the Parties who have not yet done so to ensure that all prisoners of war and political detainees are released immediately.
Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen,
8. Even as we applaud the progress made so far, there are key targets required by the R-ARCSS Implementation Matrix that are yet to be achieved.
9. For example, key steps leading to the unification of the armed forces, and which were required to be undertaken during the Pre- Transitional Period, such as disengagement, separation, and cantonment of all the forces of the warring parties are yet to be implemented.
10. Furthermore, the establishment of Independent Boundaries Commission and the Technical Boundaries Committee, the formation of Joint Defense Board, and reconstitution of the Joint Military Ceasefire Commission, are yet to take place. In particular, we call on the regional guarantors and international partners who have not nominated their representatives to the organizations of the IBC and TBC to do so urgently, as stipulated in the R-ARCSS.
11.As part of its mandate, JMEC has publicly issued three implementation status reports. The reports provide details on activities which have been implemented, those that are pending, and offers recommendations on remedial actions necessary to expedite the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement in the agreed timeline.
12.I am also happy to inform this Council that the first meeting for the reconstitution of JMEC is scheduled for Monday November 19, 2018 here in Addis Ababa. Subsequent meetings of RJMEC will be convened in Juba.
Excellences, Ladies and Gentlemen,
13.I wish to conclude with the following recommendations for the kind consideration by this Council:
• First, it is critical for the Parties and stakeholders to adhere to the timely implementation of its provisions. Therefore, the Council needs to consider appealing to the responsible Parties and actors to expedite the implementation of all aspects of the Agreement;
• Second, I appeal to the Council to urge the Parties to show their commitment to gender parity by ensuring that the required levels of women’s representation is respected. To date, the gender provision in Agreement Institutions has not been adhered to.
• Third, considering the current resource constraints in South Sudan, I urge that this Council sustains its diplomatic engagement with the AU, the UN, international partners and Friends of South Sudan and appeal for the technical and financial support necessary for the implementation of the R- ARCSS;
• Fourth, that this Council considers providing political guidance in the establishment of the Independent Boundaries Commission and the Technical Boundaries Committee, which have not yet been established and are running out of time.
• Last but not least, this Council needs to prevail upon the South Sudanese stakeholders who are not signatory to the Revitalized Agreement to join in its implementation.
14. In conclusion, I reiterate my appreciation to this Council for delivering the long-awaited framework for peace in the Republic of South Sudan. In particular I recognize the role played by IGAD Heads of State and Government, and the IGAD Special Envoy for steering the revitalization process to its conclusion.
15. I also appreciate the goodwill and support from all regional and international partners and Friends of South Sudan for their solidarity with IGAD and South Sudan, and for the sustained efforts to revitalize the 2015 Peace Agreement.
16. Although the success of the revitalized 2018 peace agreement lies with all of us, ultimately the onus of its implementation rests with the South Sudanese parties and stakeholders.
God bless you. God bless South Sudan! I thank you.
The following was delivered by JMEC Acting Chairperson Ambassador Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge on 7 November 2018 at a breakfast meeting of the South Sudan Center for Strategic and Policy Studies. The event was arranged to examine the issue of confidence-building and laying the foundations for sustainable peace in South Sudan.
Opening
Since its inception in 2015, JMEC’s role has consisted of monitoring, evaluating, and reporting on the status of implementation of the peace agreement. However, our continuous oversight of the implementation of the agreement and the special deliberations of the six working committees of JMEC, made it clear that there were serious lacunae in the implementation of the agreement.
This is why the then-JMEC Chairperson H.E. Festus Mogae recommended the revitalization of the peace agreement. Accordingly, through exhaustive mapping of the stakeholders and understanding of the failures of 2015, JMEC was able to substantively contribute to the development of the 2018 revitalized agreement which was signed by the parties in September 2018.
JMEC’s opinion is that currently, the political environment has improved to the extent that the revitalized agreement can be implemented in a way which was not possible for the 2015 peace agreement. The commitment of the government and the Parties is stronger now. However, it still requires an ongoing process of confidence- and trust-building measures on the part of all Parties, and also the regional and international stakeholders.
Following are the key points or opportunities that JMEC has identified and recommends.
At the level of South Sudan
1. In addition to the President of South Sudan’s confidence building measures already undertaken, the President as a national leader should continue to constructively engage all stakeholders and Parties to the agreement to ensure that each party fulfils what it agreed to do in signing the revitalized agreement.
2. Together and in a spirit of unity, the President and the leaders of the Opposition should travel throughout the country and advocate for peace and reconciliation to the people of South Sudan.
3. The value of traditional leaders and chiefs must be recognized and factored in to the implementation process through various confidence-building mechanisms.
4. The existing National Dialogue can be instrumental to the implementation process, but it should be genuine and inclusive to serve as a building block in the pursuit of trust building.
5. Traditional South Sudanese conflict resolution mechanisms and inter-tribal dialogue practices should be used to deepen understanding and contribute to the full implementation of the agreement. Academia, researchers and other experienced practitioners should be involved to provide recommendations and examples of best practice.
6. The Parties should collectively show the determination and necessary political will to take action against spoilers from whatever angle they come. There should be alignment of message and action of the Parties to counter forces that seek to disrupt or delay implementation.
7. The Parties should ensure that all the remaining political detainees and prisoners of war are released, and those with criminal cases are given transparent and timely due process.
8. For confidence building purposes, we recommend to officially announce the lifting of state of emergency, to ensure that the political space needed for exercising the individual’s democratic rights and freedom of speech are in place, and the role of a responsible media is duly recognised.
9. The Parties should examine the mistakes of the recent past, draw lessons, and develop early-warning mechanisms to avoid the triggers that lead to the conflict of July 2016.
10. The Church and faith-based leaders, eminent personalities, and civil society, women’s and youth groups, should be given a prominent role in national reconciliation and the confidence-building effort.
11. Lessons on national reconciliation and healing should be drawn from elsewhere on the continent and applied to the South Sudanese context.
At the regional and international level:
12. Regional and international guarantors should give their full support to the implementation of the agreement, including to the agreement institutions, through appropriate political and economic support.
All these measures, if properly implemented will create a conducive political, social, and economic environment for the people of South Sudan, especially refugees and internally displaced, to enjoy the dividends of peace.
The Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan—James Wani Igga ; The UN Deputy SRSG- Mr Moustapha Soumare
The Chairperson of the South Sudan Peace and Reconciliation Commission- Chuol Rambang Luoth; Ambassadors, Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen
Good morning! I bring you greetings on behalf of our Chairman His Excellency Festus Mogae.
1. It is an honor to address you all gathered here today as we celebrate the International Day of Peace.
2. Indeed, this day is very timely as we have in recent weeks witnessed the beginning of a new chapter, a renewed opportunity for building lasting peace and stability in the Republic of South Sudan.
3. It has been more than 15 months since the start of the revitalization process, which brought together parties to the Peace Agreement and other estranged groups in pursuing dialogue to end the ongoing conflict.
4. The Process has come a long way, starting from our internal deliberations within JMEC, which resulted in the Chairman recommending to the IGAD Council of Ministers the revitalization of the ARCSS. It is our hope that we can finally see an end to the conflict; one which has undoubtedly divided and destroyed the country.
5. We are confident that the compromises taken were in good faith and that the Parties will work together moving forward. Full compliance to the agreement is very critical to build confidence and provide an enabling environment for the much needed focus on the growth of the economy among other things.
6. We in JMEC are optimistic at this opportunity that has been presented to the People of South Sudan to find lasting peace and emerge from years of conflict to a liberated future.
7. Let’s be clear, there is still a lot of hard work to be done both during the pre-transition and transition periods to make the dream of Peace a lasting reality. This includes but is not limited to the setting up of key Agreement Institutions, the freeing of prisoners of war, cantonment of forces, and the building of a new national army.
8. Now is the time for all the parties to recommit themselves with the same vigor and energy shown during the negotiations to the difficult implementation tasks that lie ahead. The long suffering people of South Sudan deserves no less of a commitment from their leaders.
9. The people long weary of the conflict appear to have thrown their support behind the revitalized agreement. They therefore should not be dissapointed.
10. It is our view that this is the last best chance for a comprehensive peace and the IGAD Council of Ministers should stand ready to deal conclusively with those who would attempt to once again derail the peace and drag the country back into conflict.
11. This must necessarily involve taking swift punitive action against any and all spoilers and violators of the Peace Agreement.
12. The Parties should know that the world is watching with eagerness as to whether they will honor their commitment this time around.
13. The People of South Sudan are watching, the mothers and children who are tired of the suffering are watching, the young people without jobs and struggling to make a living are watching, everyone is watching!
14. As we celebrate the International Day of Peace, may we all embrace the spirit of togetherness and agree that there are no beneficiaries to the conflict.
15. When the country suffers, we are all affected. When the economy struggles to support an already stretched population, we are all affected.
16. When millions of people are living in refugee camps in neighboring countries, we are all affected. Conflict benefits none and erodes the good and hope in all of us.
17. We must not let the gains of the last 15 months go to waste. We must ensure that we allow the children and youth in the country to enjoy the benefits of peace and prosper in the country, celebrating unity in diversity.
18. So let me encourage all of you to take up the responsibility of being an ambassador of peace to everyone that you meet. Let us all be agents of peace for the benefit of all of us.
19. JMEC for its part reiterate its commitment to fully discharge our mandate to vigorously monitor and evaluate implementation of the Reviltalised Agreement.
20. To that end we seek the support of all the stakeholders to work together in pursuing our common goals of having a country unburdened by war and conflict, and contributing to the advancement of a proud and prosperous South Sudan.
God bless you all, God bless the people of South Sudan,
Thank you very much
Your Excellency, Dr Abiy Ahmed, Chairperson of IGAD and Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia;
Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government of IGAD;
Your Excellency, the Chairperson of the AU Commission;
Your Excellency, the Executive Secretary of IGAD;
Honorable Ministers;
Excellencies;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
1. It is my singular honor to address this august body today. This Summit, is particularly important for me, personally, for three main reasons.
a. Firstly, today we are coming to the conclusion of the High-Level Revitalization Forum;
b. Secondly, today will be my last address to your excellencies as the Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC);
c. Third, and most importantly, today we hope to begin a new chapter, a renewed opportunity for building lasting peace and stability in the Republic of South Sudan.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
2. As we come to the conclusion of the High-Level Revitalization Forum, allow me to start by congratulating the South Sudanese Parties and Stakeholders, who have been involved in this process for the last fifteen (15) months.
3. Allow me also, to commend the IGAD Council of Ministers, the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, the High-Level Facilitators, and the Mediators of the Khartoum phase of the HLRF, for their role and contribution that has made this process a success.
4. In particular, I want to acknowledge the contribution of my staff, the JMEC members of the HLRF taskforce, without whom this progress may not have been achieved as timeously as has been the case.
5. The HLRF process has come a long way, starting from our internal deliberations within JMEC culminating in my recommendation and the historic decision taken, by this Assembly during its 31st Extra-Ordinary Summit on 12th June 2017 to convene the Forum.
6. This process has taken us to different capitals of the region and beyond, and has endured many challenges, but most importantly it has registered remarkable successes, notably;
a. the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access (CoHA) signed in December 2017 here in Addis Ababa;
b. the various agreed texts, initialed by the Parties here in Addis Ababa;
c. the different bridging proposals developed by the Facilitators, that helped the parties to narrow areas of disagreement;
d. the face-to-face meetings between President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar held here in Addis Ababa, at Khartoum and at Entebbe;
e. the Khartoum Declaration of Permanent Ceasefire, of June 27, 2018;
f. the agreements on the outstanding governance and security arrangements signed in Khartoum; and
g. finally, the revitalized ARCSS initialed in Khartoum on August 28, 2018.
7. It important to underline that the HLRF process has afforded all the parties and stakeholders every opportunity, to make their case and reach compromises. The outcome we are witnessing today is therefore a reflection of a thorough and inclusive process.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
8. On a personal note, I believe that by now, your Excellencies have received my letter of intention to step down as the Chairperson of JMEC at the end of this month. I do so with a sense of gratitude and indebtedness to you, but also of pride.
9. I am proud of the many challenges we collectively overcame as JMEC members in discharging our mandate over the last two years and eight months.
10. When I was appointed Chairperson of JMEC in November 2015, I was excited because I saw it as an opportunity to make a contribution, however modest, to help this youngest African nation to end what is clearly a senseless conflict, and to work with them to build a lasting peace.
11. My understanding was that, having signed the Agreement the parties were committed to peace, and were willing to implement the agreement.
12. My role, as I understood then, would be to monitor, evaluate, report on progress or lack thereof to IGAD, AU and UN Security Council, and recommend remedial measures to the implementer - the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU). But I was wrong.
13. From day one, I found myself having to mediate between the Parties and persuade and cajole them to implement every single provision of the Agreement, sometimes involving fresh negotiations. There was also a mistaken impression on the part of some, that I was to enforce the implementation of the Agreement.
14. Nonetheless, some progress was made, particularly in establishing institutions which will form a foundation for the implementation of the revitalized Agreement.
15. I am also proud, that we recommended the revitalization of the ARCSS 2015 and today we conclude with a more inclusive peace agreement. This revitalized agreement, if fully implemented, promises sustainable peace and prosperity in the Republic of South Sudan.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
16. I owe much gratitude to your Excellencies, the leaders of IGAD for entrusting me with this noble responsibility, and for the trust and confidence reposed on me and support extended during my time as JMEC Chairperson.
17. I am also very grateful to all JMEC members, the regional and international partners and friends of JMEC, for their support and cooperation.
18. In addition, I thank the JMEC staff and secretariat, including the partners supporting JMECs operations and logistics, for making my work possible.
19. I leave behind a viable JMEC Secretariat, well-equipped and poised, to effectively discharge its responsibility. This has been demonstrated by their role as the core of the Special Envoy’s Task Force for the High Level Revitalization Forum.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
20. As I conclude, it is my earnest hope that the signing of the revitalized peace agreement will herald a new chapter for the Republic of South Sudan.
21. With a bent knee and cap-in-hand, I appeal to my South Sudanese brothers and sisters, especially the leadership of the Parties, not to squander this opportunity again.
I Thank you.
Representatives from Journalist for Human Rights,
Members of the Fourth Estate,
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Good afternoon!
Let me begin by congratulating all of you for attending this workshop designed to provide you, members of the media with a forum to discuss the ongoing Revitalization process of the ARCSS.
I hope that these two days have given you an opportunity to hear the facts as opposed to opinions and anecdotes. I hope too that you have been provided with the tools to carry out your vital role as the members of the Fourth Estate, to speak to and for the people and tell the truth.
Even as I address you today, the process of revitalizing the ARCSS is proceeding, one step at a time, reaching yet more important milestones since it begun in December 2017.
Substantial progress has been made and continues to be achieved in Khartoum, on outstanding issues concerning Governance, Security and responsibility sharing. The Parties have agreed on representation of women at the highest level. Of the proposed four Vice Presidents, one will be a Woman. Women will also make up thirty- five percent of the National Executive. This is indeed encouraging, that women can play an integral role in the peacebuilding efforts in South Sudan.
I am convinced that the Parties to the conflict will build on this progress, adhere to the signed Agreements and give prominence to the promotion of peace and reconciliation of the peace process.
The Regional Community, the International Community, the Government and people of South Sudan, must not let up for one moment on the progress we have achieved these last months. We must support every effort the government and the people have now taken in the effort of rebuilding this country for future posterity.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We need to continue the dialogue on peace, reaching out to communities to explain the facts of the peace process, discover what they know and dispel rumours and untruths. We must encourage the people to talk about their experiences, fears and expectations. Inclusivity is not simply all the Parties to the Conflict; it is about all the people of South Sudan, rich and poor, young and old alike.
There will be no long term peace without reconciliation and inter- communal integration. In Your reporting, you must be able to ask; What does that mean to a simple woman who has lost her children or to young men who have never known a life without fighting? How will the people come to terms with the awful damage that has afflicted the country for the past five years?
I believe the answers lie with two elements of society, the youth and women. Looking around the hall, I can see that both are well represented here today. I am told that you are also an enthusiastic and questioning audience. It is heartening that we have a media in this country that is adventurous and brave despite the challenges that you face in your profession. A free and open media is vital to any democracy and South Sudan is no exception.
Impartial, fact-based reporting underpins democracy, and ensures transparency in the institutions of government. It encourages the people to question the authorities and seek the truth, for without truth there is no trust.
Ladies and gentlemen,
I hope that these two days have in a way provided the skills and knowledge essential to your vital task of shining the light on the Peace Process, enabling you to explain in layman’s terms the complicated and arcane language of politics and diplomacy.
I urge you to establish and adhere to a level of objective truth and avoid the modern trend of appealing to emotions. Your task is even harder in the era of social media when almost anything can be said and circulated on social media sites like Facebook, WhatsApp and others and be taken for the gospel truth.
I wish all of you the best of luck in your chosen profession, knowing that you have not taken an easy path in life and that your task is vital to the future of this wonderful young country South Sudan.
Finally, I want to thank Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) for partnering with us JMEC in convening this workshop, and to thank all of you for your very active participation.
With these few remarks, it is my pleasure to now declare this workshop officially closed.
God bless You all and may He Bless all the people of South Sudan.
Thank you very much!
The Representative of the Media Authority,
The Representatives from Journalists for Human Rights,
Distinguished guests,
Members of the press,
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Good morning!
Allow me at the outset to start by extending warm greetings from His Excellency Festus Mogae, the chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission and from the entire leadership of the Commission.
I want to take this opportunity to thank Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) for partnering with JMEC in convening this workshop which I consider to be instrumental for you as representatives of the different media outlets understand your role, in the ongoing efforts to restore peace and inclusive governance in the South Sudan.
As you all know, the implementation of the 2015 peace agreement was undermined by the events of July 2016 and the subsequent expansion of the conflict within South Sudan. New political and military groups emerged and the fighting in the country covered large areas. Additionally, some agreement parties left Juba. As a result of these developments, implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS) was severely compromised both in letter and spirit. JMEC’s evaluation and monitoring reports throughout 2016 captured this sad state of affairs.
Consequently, President Festus Mogae made a recommendation to IGAD to urgently consider measures to get the implementation of the ARCSS back on track. IGAD Heads of State then decided to convene a High Level Revitalization Forum on the 2015 agreement.
The HLRF initiative drew its mandate from the IGAD 31stSummit of the Heads states and governments held on 12th June 2017 in Addis Ababa. The process was spear headed by the IGAD Council of Ministers with facilitation by the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, Dr. Ismail Wais, and his task force composed of Advisors from JMEC and the IGAD Secretariat.
The cardinal objectives of the HLRF were:
1. Restore the permanent ceasefire,
2. Return to full implementation of the Peace Agreement and
3. Develop a revised and realistic timeline and implementation schedule towards democratic elections at the end of the transition period;
Ladies and gentlemen,
As you may be aware, the HLRF has achieved important milestones since its commencement in December of 2017, in Addis Ababa. The Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access was signed on 21st December 2017. Progress was made incrementally on the revitalization of Chapter 1 and 2 of the Agreement and during the Khartoum round of negotiations, agreement was reached on outstanding issues on Security and responsibility sharing.
Ladies and gentlemen and the representatives of the press,
It is our earnest hope that peace will be restored fully to South Sudan and that the fully revitalized Peace Agreement will be comprehensively implemented by the Parties. It is also our expectation that following the signing of the revitalized agreement, the millions of internally displaced South Sudanese and refugees will voluntarily return to their homes and fully participate in the reconstruction of their country.
We at JMEC remain optimistic that at this point in time that parties to the conflict will demonstrate absolute determination and political commitment to bring lasting peace to their motherland, South Sudan and work relentlessly for the peaceful integration of divided communities.
Your coverage of the conflict and the peace process in your various media platforms could be described as double-edged. History shows the media can fuel wars and turn communities against each other. Equally, the media can be agents of peace and reconciliation, counter hate speech, fight impunity and uphold supremacy of the law.
Members of the press,
JMEC calls on you to play a critical role in this endeavour. We urge you to; promote cohesion; build brotherhood and good neighborliness. JMEC wants you to be part of the solution, not part of the problem and above all, hold the signatories of these Agreements accountable. Remind them that South Sudan and indeed the world are watching. Violators of the signed agreements must be known, exposed and held accountable. Only then will the trust of the people in the political leaders be regained and true inclusivity achieved.
I would like to seize this opportunity to urge the government and the opposition to keep the momentum of constructive political engagement that we have so far witnessed during the HLRF process and to bring about lasting peace to South Sudan, which is blessed with huge natural resources and an active population. This window of opportunity which is pivotal to bring South Sudan out of the conflict should not be wasted.
Let the South Sudanese Political actors with the support of the region and the international community say enough is enough to the conflict and lay the foundation for the emergence of South Sudan that enjoys its proper place in the Regional and International arena.
It is my hope, and that of JMEC, that this workshop will strengthen the vital role of the media in the peace-building process in the country.
With these brief remarks, I now declare this workshop officially open.
May God bless you and the people of South Sudan.
Thank you very much.
Dear Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Good afternoon!
Let me start by congratulating all the participants who attended this very important orientation workshop on the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS), the High Level Revitalisation Forum (HLRF), and the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access (ACoH). I have been fully briefed on the presentations and the fruitful deliberations that you have had as well as the interactive sessions.
I am also informed that the discussions you held have enabled you to know ways and opportunities in which you can now engage in the South Sudan Peace process going forward, in a more inclusive and participatory way.
So much ground has been covered since the Revitalization process begun. This is indeed encouraging. JMEC continues to urge the Parties in the conflict to embrace the spirit of compromise and to resolve all the outstanding issues. It is critical for allparties to fully abide by the Agreements they have signed to date, including to the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access of December 2017 (ACoH) and particularly refrain from all acts of violence.
Above all, you the young people, should be the social capital, the vanguard and a force for good. The Youth in this country must rally around a common goal, set better standards, educate the population on their rights and responsibilities and continue to agitate for a peaceful resolution of the conflict that has continued for far too long.
The achievement of peace in South Sudan is a collective process. We must all make the decision that the conflict, and especially the senseless killings need to stop and say Enough is enough.
Remember however that, all wars must end in peace. Let all of you as South Sudanese all find in your hearts a place to forgive each other, accommodate one another and rekindle the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood and take another historic step to rebuild your mother land. As the youth, the future belongs to you more than any other social group. Now that you are more educated on what is at stake, you have been empowered to participate in bringing peace to your country South Sudan in a more informed way and I therefore wish you good luck.
With these few remarks, I declare this orientation workshop closed.
Thank you very much and May God Bless you.
Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen;
Good morning!
1. On the onset, let me extend greetings and best wishes from the leadership at JMEC Secretariat with special greetings from our Chairperson, His Excellency, Festus Mogae.
2. Let me take this opportunity to thank the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative, for the tremendous work you have been involved in, in promoting peaceful coexistence among communities in South Sudan; specifically amongst the youth. Secondly, allow me to extend my appreciation for partnering with the Commision in convening this very important workshop themed “Peace in Time: Creating awareness for the Youth on the South Sudan Peace Process”.
3. Indeed, information and awareness about the content and procedures of the Peace process, including all the agreements that have emanated from it, is crucial in enabling effective participation among the South Sudanese population, of which all of you, gathered here today, are important stakeholders.
4. Regrettably, the Peace process in this country has not been without challenges. Today, we are still being confronted by increased hostilities amongst the different Parties and flagrant violations of the permanent ceasefire. The continuously deteriorating political, security, humanitarian and economic situation in the country has caused unprecedented displacement, famine and economic meltdown.
5. The impact of the war on the civilian population is deeply disheartening. We in the JMEC, particulary deeply regret the killing of civilains, sexual violence against women, the displacement of children, the elderly and disabled persons as evidenced in the UNMISS and United Nations Human Rights report released recently. We strongly condemn any acts of violence on civilian population and remind the parties to respect the spirit and fully commit to the letter and spirit of Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, signed by all Parties to the conflict in 21st December last year
6. Notably, the economic situation continues to worsen as evidenced by rising prices and high inflation levels. The effects of the war are putting more pressure on an already fragile economy and causing more despair amongst the South Sudanese population.
7. Despite all these setbacks, we continue to urge you all to play your part in positively engaging in the peace process. I call on all of you here to be the front-runners in promoting peace in the country.
8. It is my sincere hope and that of JMEC Secretariat that this workshop will not only equip you with the information you need in this quest, but will also strengthen your role in contributing to the revitalization’s intended outcomes of restoring inclusive implementation of the Peace Agreement, the Permanent Ceasefire in search for sustainable peace and stability in South Sudan.
I wish you fruitful deliberations.
Thank you very much. Good bless you.
Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers;
Honorable Ministers, Members of the Council;
IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan;
Your Excellencies Ambassadors;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
1. I thank you very much for this opportunity to address the Council.
2. I thank the Chairperson, IGAD Council of Ministers and Council members, for the leadership and dedication exhibited in the revitalisation process. The people of South Sudan, the region and indeed, the international community very much appreciate your efforts.
3. I further commend H.E Dr. Ismail Wais, the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, for his unwavering commitment steering the HLRF process.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
4. Next month, on June 12th, we shall mark one year since the revitalization mandate was given. There is no doubt that significant grounds have been covered.
5. For the first time since July 2016, all the warrying factions in South Sudan are around the table and pursuing dialogue to end their protracted conflict.
6. This is a big milestone for which we must all appreciate the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government for their decision.
7. Todate, we have a comprehensive Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitrain Access to which the parties recently recommitted themselves, and we are working closely with CTSAMM to ensure it’s fully implemented. We now have a CTSAMM Board fully reconstituted.
8. Furthermore, the Parties have agreed on the mandate for the revitalized transitional government. They have agreed on a transitional period of 30 months to be preceeded by 120 days’ pre-transition period.
9. They have also agreed on a range of judicial and institutional reforms, on national elections, and some provisions on security arrangments which have all been initialed. This is commendable.
10. However, as we have just heard from Dr. Ismail Wais, the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, there are a few areas of contention for which the parties have failed to make progress.
11. This Council’s meeting today is therefore very timely and critical. The Council should reflect on the process so far, and determine how best to help the South Sudanese parties to overcome the current stalemate and to bring the HLRF to a successful conclusion.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
12. The people of South Sudan are yearning for peace now. They are tired of this senseless conflict and cannot afford endless talks without economic recovery and redress to the dire humanitarian situation.
13. I therefore commend the Council for its leadership and decision to put to the Parties a very well considered and thoughtful Bridging Proposal to help them narrow the gaps and make progress towards an agreement.
14. I hope that our South Sudanese brothers and sisters will understand that this bridging proposal was developed upon their own request, and after every opportunity had been given to them to make compromises and reach some form of consensus.
15. Ultimately, it is obvious that non of the parties may be celebrating because such is the nature of dialogue - no one party can get one hundred percent of what they want in a negotiation.
16. Perhaps this is even the more reason to take this bridging proposal as the middle ground in the parties current negotiating positions.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;
17. In conclusion, I continue to appeal to the Council to remain resolute, speak with one voice, and to prevail over the intransigent parties to make compromises and accommodate one another.
18. I reiterate my concern over the persistent violations of the Cesssation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA), signed on 21stDecember 2017 by some of the parties with total impunity, and I urge the Council to take necessary steps to hold spoilers accountable.
19. Finally, I thank all JMEC members, our regional and international partners and friends of South Sudan, for their continued support and commitement to the restoration of peace in South Sudan.
Thank you.