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.

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) has asked the South Sudanese warring parties to embrace the spirit of compromise and accept the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) bridging proposals to end the conflict in the country. 

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. 


It is time to end the suffering of the people of South Sudan, said the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), as the High Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) came to a close on Wednesday May 23rd2018 in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

Speaking during the official closing ceremony of the Forum, JMEC Chief of Staff, Ambassador Berhanu Kebede said, 

“We have heard 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 here at the forum. We cannot and should not turn a deaf ear to these ever widening cries and pleas for peace.” 


Rather than continue on the destructive path of conflict, Ambassador Kebede said, I urge you to invest your energies to make the best use of your resources for the good of all the people of South Sudan.

“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.”

“You must reaffirm your commitment, not only in word, but also by concrete action to adhere to and fully observe the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA). By so doing, you would have set the basis for, and provide the best guarantee to bring lasting peace to your beautiful country.” 


The Chief of Staff welcomed the signing of an addendum to the CoHA signed in December last year. The addendum fully operationalizes the CTSAMM Board, which is expected to enhance monitoring and verification of compliance or lack thereof by all parties to the conflict.

The Continuation of Phase II of the Forum opened on Thursday May 17, 2018 and lasted for six days.

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Wednesday May 23, 2018, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

JMEC Chief of Staff: “Do not turn a deaf ear to the ever widening cries and pleas for peace in South Sudan”

It is time to end the suffering of the people of South Sudan, said the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), as the High Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) came to a close on Wednesday May 23rd2018 in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

Speaking during the official closing ceremony of the Forum, JMEC Chief of Staff, Ambassador Berhanu Kebede said, 

“We have heard 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 here at the forum. We cannot and should not turn a deaf ear to these ever widening cries and pleas for peace.” 


Rather than continue on the destructive path of conflict, Ambassador Kebede said, I urge you to invest your energies to make the best use of your resources for the good of all the people of South Sudan.

“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.”

“You must reaffirm your commitment, not only in word, but also by concrete action to adhere to and fully observe the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA). By so doing, you would have set the basis for, and provide the best guarantee to bring lasting peace to your beautiful country.” 


The Chief of Staff welcomed the signing of an addendum to the CoHA signed in December last year. The addendum fully operationalizes the CTSAMM Board, which is expected to enhance monitoring and verification of compliance or lack thereof by all parties to the conflict.

The Continuation of Phase II of the Forum opened on Thursday May 17, 2018 and lasted for six days.

ENDS

The High Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) provides best and timely opportunity to end the “catastrophe that befell the people of South Sudan”, the Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), has said.

Speaking during the opening of the continuation of the Second Phase of the HLRF in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, H.E. Festus Mogae said, 

As the High Level Revitilization Forum (HLRF) enters Day Two, the Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) aked South Sudanese parties to agree on concrete measures to restore the permanent ceasefire and inclusive governance.

Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

 Thursday May 17, 2018, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

JMEC Chairperson: HLRF provides best opportunity to end “catastrophe” in South Sudan 

The High Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) provides best and timely opportunity to end the “catastrophe that befell the people of South Sudan”, the Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), has said.

Speaking during the opening of the continuation of the Second Phase of the HLRF in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, H.E. Festus Mogae said, 

“You are at a critical juncture. This forum (HLRF) provides the best and timely opportunity for you all, to collectively decide and bring the catastrophe that has befallen your people to an end.”

“There comes a time in life, where nothing else should matter more, than to do what is right. I believe the time is now, for all patriots of South Sudan, to rise to the occasion.” 

“Enough is enough. Let us all find in our 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 South Sudan.”

H.E. Mogae, said in his address, about 4.2 million of South Sudanese people remain displaced, 2.4 million of whom are in neighbouring countries as refugees. 

“The resumption of the conflict (in South Sudan) has left immeasurable human costs, which continue to rise. The economy is devastated and there is a deepening sense of anxiety and insecurity among large parts of your society. Your people are fast losing hope.”

He said an estimated 7 million South Sudanese are currently in need of humanitarian assistance with at least 6.3 million severely food insecure.

He expressed concern that the Cesssation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA), signed on December 21, 2017, “has been repeatedly violated with impunity.” 

“This is regretable and only serves to undermine our confidence on how seriously some parties are taking this noble process.”

He called on all Parties to overcome outstanding issues, and “put the interest of the country first.” 

ENDS

As the Second Phase of the High Level Revitilization Forum (HLRF) is expected to reconvene this week, efforts should not be spared to ensure a return of “full and inclusive” implementation of the South Sudan Peace Agreement, the Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), H.E Festus Mogae has said.