Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

Honorable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

I thank you.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

1. I welcome you all to our April plenary.

2. At our last meeting in March, we posed three critical questions that have to be addressed – How do we stop the fighting? How do we stop people from dying of starvation? And how do we ensure inclusivity of the interests and concerns of all South Sudanese communities? Peace, relief and Since we last met, and pursuant to this agenda, I have undertaken a diplomatic tour to deliver our message.

3. In Addis Ababa, I addressed a meeting of the African Union Peace and Security Council devoted specifically to South Whilst there I also briefed the Chairman of IGAD, H.E. Hailemariam Desalegn, the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

4. In New York, I attended and briefed a special South Sudan session of the United Nations Security Council convened and chaired by the UK Foreign Secretary, the Right Honourable Boris

5. In South Africa I met with the Vice President of the Republic of South Africa, E. Cyril Ramaphosa, in his capacity as South Africa’s Special Representative to South Sudan, and then with Dr. Riek Machar, the former First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan. I will elaborate further on this meeting later in my remarks.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

6. March and April have been exceedingly difficult months for the people of South In our assessment, the security situation continues to deteriorate and I wish to express my gravest concern over the terrible, vindictive violence that persists in this country.

7. There can be no doubt that we now face a crisis within a Security is the foundation stone upon which we build economic and social confidence. This foundation stone no longer exists, confidence has evaporated, commerce is seizing up, prices are escalating and as a result, we now face a crisis of hunger that is undermining all our efforts to make peace.

8. The mothers of South Sudan face a daily struggle with inflation, never knowing if the money in their pocket will be sufficient to feed their Insecurity creates food shortages, which in turn drives inflation, that in turn results in hunger. A hungry man is an angry man; and angry men do not make peace.

9. Food shortages and increasing hunger are now our immediate problems. Out in the country, beyond the reach of government, the situation is increasingly desperate. Instability and hunger has created a surge of survival-criminality that further exacerbates the problem through stealing, looting and the prevention of free flowing commerce.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

10. I have appealed for peace directly to the President of the Republic of South Sudan, E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, to the First Vice President, General Taban Deng Gai, and finally to the former First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar. Despite these appeals from JMEC and international partners, Wau became a battlefield. The violence which ensued was an appalling failure of leadership and the reported thirty deaths that took place bore the hallmarks of retribution killings.

11. The border town of Pajok in Equatoria was attacked, reportedly resulting in the deaths of sixteen people and the destruction of the school and hospital; three oil workers were abducted in the North and eventually released; fighting broke out in Eastern Lakes state; and clashes occurred in Western Bahr El Ghazal, Upper Nile and Unity

12. Seven aid workers were killed in late March in an ambush along the road to Pibor, bringing to twelve the total number of aid workers killed in South Sudan so far this year, and seventy nine since the outbreak of fighting in It is simply deplorable that in 2017 we must still plead with a government for the safety of those who deliver humanitarian relief.

13. I utterly condemn all the violence that has taken place across the country but particularly in Wau and Pajok, and I ask that CTSAMM report their findings as soon as possible

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

14. Violence and conflict on this level is either centrally directed or locally orchestrated. I fear it is now time to acknowledge that, across the board, among all armed forces and armed groups, central structures of command and control appear to have broken Violence around the country is increasingly based on local decisions taken at local level. Armed groups may declare an allegiance to one leader or another, but they seem no longer to take their instructions from them.

15. All armed groups must regain control of their forces and restore the ceasefire with immediate I appeal to all South Sudanese leaders, both civilian and military and at every level, to remove the threat of violence and armed conflict and bring all hostilities to an end.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

16. UNMISS will report to us directly later but there can be no doubt that the humanitarian crisis in South Sudan shows little sign of abating.

17. The internal displacement of people continues at an alarming rate as armed forces, militias and other armed groups wreak havoc in the countryside. The UN has reported that in the wake of recent violence over 100,000 people are displaced in Jonglei State alone and there are now 9m people internally displaced nationally.

18. Over the past month refugees have continued to flee the violence and stream across borders into neighbouring countries, especially According to OCHA, the number of refugees now sits at 1.7m.

19. Following the IGAD Heads of State Summit in Nairobi on 25th March, JMEC responded to a request to confirm the immediate opening of humanitarian corridors, without conditionality, to allow safe access to affected populations across the Republic of South Sudan.

20. We reported that:

some new humanitarian corridors have been opened and specific requests had been granted for humanitarian aid workers to access areas previously denied, such as Wau Shilluk and Wonduruba;

although TGoNU is cooperating, humanitarian assistance continues to be delivered at a greater cost and less efficiency and there is still a lot to be done to improve the overall humanitarian access situation, as the Central Government does not appear to control decisions taken on the ground;

widespread insecurity and escalation of violence further complicates an already dire humanitarian situation;

the parties must adhere to the ceasefire agreement and facilitate unfettered access;

finally, humanitarian operations in South Sudan continue to face challenges due to both a failure by State and non-State actors’ to observe international humanitarian law.

21. I can only repeat that this humanitarian situation is predominantly man- made and the result of violence, conflict and the deliberate denial of access. Men, women and children are suffering and dying of starvation because the leadership at various levels is failing to prevent it.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

22. In the midst of the economic crisis, there were some encouraging signs towards the end of The Government’s plan to stabilize prices and the exchange rate contributed to a large decline in inflation over the period October 2016 through January 2017. As a consequence, significant further declines in purchasing power for salary earners were temporarily arrested.

23. However, we are now back to a deepening economic crisis as these improvements appear to be short Within the context of an annual inflation rate which peaked at 550 per cent in September 2016 and was down to 300 per cent in March 2017, monthly inflation amounted to 10 per cent on average in February and March 2017, as against 1.3 per cent in the previous four months. The exchange rate has weakened significantly, with depreciation accelerating through April, suggesting a risk of further worsening inflation in the months to come.

24. These developments suggest that government spending has out-paced available The advances in stabilizing the economy that became evident in the last quarter of 2016 will soon be totally lost unless steps are taken to adjust spending in line with financing.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

25. Turning now to the ARCSS, I wish to provide the following update on the implementation of the Agreement:

Since the last meeting, I can report that the National Constitutional Amendment Committee has completed the first phase of its The Committee has drafted the Constitutional Amendment Bill (2017) incorporating the Agreement into the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan (2011). The Bill was handed over to the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs on 13thApril, 2017. The Agreement requires him to present it to the Council of Ministers and to the Transitional National Legislative Assembly for ratification within seven days of receipt.

It is envisioned that the Constitutional Amendment Bill will inform the Permanent Constitution making I therefore wish to appeal to the Ministry to expedite the process of enacting the Bill into law, as the Committee embarks on the next phase of its work.

The SDSR Board has not met formally since December 2016. However, despite significant challenges the SDSR Board has now planned a three-day workshop to review draft Strategies. We urge the SDSR Chairman to expedite the work of the Board and we request that the TGoNU confirm funding and urgently address its slow progress.

The Joint Military Ceasefire Commission has met six times since the last Plenary and are making progress towards establishment of a Cantonment support site at Molbor. The site is currently being assessed for de-mining. The JMCC has also established Working Groups for Cantonment and National Architecture Planning and reviews the progress of these working groups each week at the regular JMCC Board meetings.

Despite the difficulties surrounding freedom of movement, CTSAMM patrols are being planned and executed and the CTSAMM Board is due to meet to inform members of progress. I look forward to hearing their report today.

In the past four months, JMEC has formally submitted ten CTSAMM Board-certified violation reports to the SPLM and SPLM/IO and we have received no response or acknowledgement. I request that JMEC receives a formal response at the next Plenary in May.

Around 1,000 Joint Integrated Police are currently engaged in training at Rajaf. Delays to the vetting and registration process that I noted in my last address have not been resolved. Once again I request that the Inspector General of the South Sudan National Police and the Ministry of Interior expedite the approvals required to enable this vital component of Chapter Two to progress. I hope that the composition of this cadre is inclusive and represents the demographic and gender diversity of the country.

As outlined in the Agreement there is a requirement to demilitarize Juba, bringing troop totals down to 4,830 within twenty five kilometres of the capital. I encourage the JMCC to work closely with the Joint Management Team of the Joint Integrated Police and the Joint Operations Centre to clarify and facilitate coordination of these troop adjustments.

I am unable to report any progress in Chapter 5 (Transitional Justice).

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

26. Since the decision to adopt the proposal to establish six JMEC Working Committees, allocated as per the chapters of the Agreement and to work in close consultation with the three TGoNU clusters, I can report that five JMEC Working Committees have been constituted and have I wish to thank all the members of JMEC, including the TGoNU, for their strong support in ensuring that this initiative begins in a very positive and collaborative manner.

27. The tasks of these Working Committees are not only to monitor and evaluate but also to provide advice and recommend remedial action to be undertaken by the TGoNU and other bodies responsible for implementation of the We believe that, together with the strong commitment by all members and stakeholders, this will represent a considerable step forward in the discharge of our core mandate.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

28. Across South Sudan and beyond, there remains a considerable misunderstanding of the role and responsibility of this Commission.

29. The role of JMEC is explicitly and specifically to monitor and evaluate the implementation of the 2015 Agreement, and to recommend remedial action where necessary.

30. Month after month, we have faithfully and accurately monitored, evaluated and reported to all the Institutions stipulated in the Peace Agreement for them to take the necessary corrective measures.

31. But JMEC is the sum of its parts – twenty eight members drawn from across South Sudan’s governance and civil society, and representation from the region and the international community.

32. JMEC is not an alternative government and it cannot direct or manage governance in any way; it does not have an army, nor any power to separate fighting forces or impose a ceasefire; and it is not the panacea for the peace we so desperately want.

33. Those truly responsible for the continued violence and the lack of progress in the implementation of the Peace Agreement are the leaders of South Sudan, both those present in the country and those outside it.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

34. As I mentioned at the beginning, I have spent the past month engaged in a diplomatic mission with the leadership of the United Nations, African Union, IGAD, Special Envoys, South Africa and South Sudan.

35. In Pretoria three weeks ago, I met with Riek Machar, the former First Vice President of South Sudan. I want to be very clear about why I met with him and what I hope to achieve from this dialogue.

36. The fracture of the SPLM/IO that I mentioned in my last Plenary remarks, together with the emergence of other armed groups, has brought into sharp focus that a large constituency of South Sudanese people is excluded from the Peace Agreement – an exclusion that has led to a significant and unacceptable increase in armed conflict in South Sudan and created a humanitarian catastrophe.

37. To find a genuine and durable political solution, the South Sudanese leadership must be willing to listen, accommodate and But they must also first be engaged, for only when all the people and communities of South Sudan see that their interests and concerns are being addressed, can peace return to this country.

38. In the spirit of that engagement, I have now spoken to Machar and I will soon be speaking to other prominent South Sudanese political leaders, who could potentially contribute to the Peace Process. This is not about individuals. This is about achieving peace through an inclusive political process that accommodates everyone, and this is the cardinal principle within which all dialogue and engagement must be seen.

39. The message I conveyed to Machar was to renounce violence, declare a unilateral ceasefire and participate in the National Dialogue.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

40. In Addis Ababa last week, I met again with the Chairman of IGAD, and separately with the UN Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, and I briefed them on my consultations with Dr. Riek Machar.

41. With the Prime Minister, I discussed the way forward regarding the implementation of the Agreement and as a result, I will now reach out to other IGAD leaders as we seek to assert the influence of the region in the most constructive way possible.

42. I also took the opportunity to promote our ‘One Voice’ initiative – our request to the leaders and Special Envoys of IGAD, the African Union and the United Nations to engage with prominent political leaders of South Sudan and speak with “one voice”. I hope this will drive a peaceful, open and transparent dialogue that is imperative if we are to achieve an inclusive political process and silence the guns.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

43. I am encouraged by His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s visit to Kapoeta last Thursday and by the statement he delivered, in which he gave a commitment to guaranteeing safety of participants in the National Dialogue. As I highlighted during my speech to the last JMEC Plenary, the importance of inclusivity and trust-building among all South Sudanese stakeholders in the National Dialogue process is paramount.

44. In addition, we should always keep in mind that the National Dialogue is a platform to enhance and facilitate the implementation of the peace agreement in an inclusive As such we must also consider critical questions regarding the proposed National Dialogue, including: how it will address the root causes of conflict; what considerations are in place for wider participation of all South Sudanese; what mechanisms exist for guaranteeing safety of participants; and how to approach the National Dialogue within the context of fractured communities and militarised peripheries.

45. It has now been over four months since the announcement of the National Dialogue and I am concerned that the launch is continuously delayed and we know little of its implementation.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

46. I therefore recommend that JMEC must continue to demand:

the restoration and implementation of the ceasefire by the Parties to the Agreement;

the total cessation of violence around the country and a clear understanding surrounding the deployment of the Regional Protection Force;

the full and credible inclusion of all Parties and stakeholders in the political process;

the constant encouragement to the TGoNU to ensure a genuinely inclusive National Dialogue that involves all the estranged parties to the Agreement, other armed groups, civil society, women’s groups and other stakeholders;

the continued support to the NCAC to pass the necessary legislation and complete their work;

continued implementation of Chapter II Transitional Security Arrangements and cantonment activities; and,

an immediate and sustained improvement of the conditions for delivery of humanitarian

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

receive a briefing from the TGoNU on recent progress made in implementing the Agreement;

receive an update from TGoNU and UNMISS on the current humanitarian situation and the cooperation of the TGoNU to facilitate unhindered humanitarian assistance;

receive summary reports on the status of the various boards and commissions of the Agreement and the progress towards their objectives; and

provide support to the new JMEC Working Committee process for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the Agreement.

48. At the end of this Plenary meeting, I have invited a brief presentation from the JMEC representative of the Women’s Bloc so that we might better understand the devastating impact of insecurity on those most adversely affected within our society.

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

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

President of the Security Council;

Secretary General;

1. I would like to thank the President of the Security Council, the British Foreign Secretary, Right Honorable Boris Johnson, for his kind invitation to brief you all today. I would also like to thank the United Nations Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres, for his accurate and detailed description of the current situation in South Sudan.

2. I do not intend to cover the same ground within what little time we have. Suffice to say that, in the eight months since the outbreak of violence last July, the security, economic and humanitarian situation in South Sudan has steadily deteriorated to an unacceptable level.

3. The Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism now report deliberate, planned conflict between the main Parties to the Agreement. The SPLA-IG and the SPLA-IO loyal to Dr. Riek Machar, as well as other emerging armed groups, engage in the destruction of lives and communities in total violation of the ceasefire.

4. Across the board, there is a heightened sense of alarm over the fact that the situation is slipping out of control. It is time now for the international community to condemn in the strongest terms the violence, the killings, the human rights abuses and the destruction of homes. We must now stand together to do something about it.

Mr President,

5. Whether by design or default, a war is being waged around South Sudan and I wish to spell out the three defining questions that we all face right now.

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

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

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

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

10. There can never be a military solution in South Sudan; nor can a military or political regime be imposed upon any one side by any other. To find a genuine and durable political solution, the South Sudanese leadership must be willing to listen, accommodate and compromise.

11. In the interim, we must urgently look again at all possible practical measures that we can take to alleviate the desperate suffering that millions of people are facing every day. Women especially have suffered the greatest injustices and born the greatest burden of conflict, and all Parties to the Agreement are failing in their basic duty to protect the South Sudanese people.

Mr President,

12. The international community must acknoweldge that since the events of July 2016, a split in the SPLM/IO has resulted in two clear opposition factions: one loyal to Dr. Riek Machar which is still fighting and has been excluded from all Agreement Institutions, and the other loyal to General Taban Deng Gai, who are cooperating with the Government.

13. I have had important discussions with the President of South Sudan primarily focused on the National Dialogue initiative, and the need for it to be genuinely and sincerely inclusive, not simply a discussion with those who agree with the Government.

14. I reiterate my view that the National Dialogue must be authentic, autonomous and impartially-led for it to be credible and deliver a reliable representation of all views and concerns. A National Dialogue conducted in this fashion would contribute to the pursuit of the peace process in the spirit of the Agreement.

Mr President,

15. I remain of the firm conviction that the Peace Agreement remains the only viable framework through which to recover the peace process, drive inclusive engagment and re-establish momentum. However hard it may be, I urge all Parties, Guarantors and Partners to continue to support the Peace Agreement and the implementation of its provisions.

16. With regard to the implementation of the Agreement, I can report only modest progress:

1. The National Constitution Amendment Committee started slowly but is now on course to complete the review of the Constitution before the end of this month.

1. CTSAMM is monitoring and investigating violations of the ceasefire but is regularly denied freedom of movement by all armed groups.

1. The Joint Military Ceasefire Commission, the Joint Integrated Police and the Strategic Defence and Security Review Board continue to develop their plans very slowly but, as stated earlier, to the exclusion of the SPLM/IO (Machar).

1. I have called upon the TGoNU to demonstrate commitment to these Agreement Institutions by providing the required resources and facilities and accelerating delivery. I encourage the regional and international partners to support them.

1. Beyond the establishment of the Technical Committee for the National Consultative Process for the establishment of the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing (CTHR), there has been no further progress on establishing Chapter Five mechanisms and institutions. I have yet to hear from the African Union Commission on the establishment of the Hybrid Court for South Sudan.

1. These are matters of great concern. Given the escalation of the conflict, progress towards Chapter Five mechanisms is needed now more than ever before and I appeal to all Parties to move with haste to enable their swift establishment.

Mr President,

17. Finally, my recommendation is that we, the international community, must:

1. demand peace and the total cessation of violence around the country with one voice;
2. activate the immediate deployment of the Regional Protection Force and support the implementation of Chapter II Transitional Security Arrangements;
3. demand the full and credible inclusion of all Parties and stakeholders in the peace process;
4. constantly encourage the TGoNU to conduct a genuinely inclusive and impartial National Dialogue;
5. endeavour to achieve an immediate improvement of the conditions for the delivery of humanitarian assistance; and
6. ensure a renewed effort to create the Hybrid Court for South Sudan and thereby establish the mechanism for the prosecution of those who perpetrate atrocities and human rights abuses.

18. In conclusion, therefore, and in the face of an ever-worsening situation, I believe that only a resolute and unified approach by IGAD, the African Union, United Nations and the international community as a whole can restore hope to the people of South Sudan.

19. Thank you, Mr President.

The Chairman of the AU Peace and Security Council, Ambassador Ndumiso Ntshinga, The African Union High Representative for South Sudan, President Alpha Konare; Commissioner for Peace and Security, Smail Chegui
, Your Excellencies Permanent Representatives;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

1. Thank you for your kind invitation to brief you all today.
2. I submitted my quarterly report to the African Union Peace and Security Council last month, covering the period November 2016 to February 2017. I hope that you have received it and had a chance to review my findings.
3. In the eight months since the outbreak of violence last July, the situation in South Sudan has steadily deteriorated to an unacceptable level.
4. CTSAMM, the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism, now report deliberate, planned conflict between the main Parties to the Agreement. The UN’s leading relief agencies have also declared a famine in specific localised areas.
5. Two days ago, I chaired the March JMEC Plenary in Juba and I can report that there was a heightened sense of alarm expressed over the fact that the security, economic and humanitarian situation are slipping out of control. It is time now to stand together to do something about it.
6. Let me first very quickly summarise the situation as we find it, and then I shall address the defining questions that we face.

Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

7. Sadly repeated calls for peace have gone unheeded. CTSAMM have given us their strongest report on record, stating, and I quote, “the security situation is rapidly deteriorating. We are observing well planned and deliberate fighting in Greater Upper Nile and the Equatoria regions. Violations indicate a gross disregard for the Permanent Ceasefire and recent reports suggest that fighting is likely to continue.”
8. We were also disappointed to learn that CTSAMM teams continue to be routinely denied access to investigate violations by both Government and Opposition forces. In Malakal the team was denied freedom of movement by the SPLA-IG on several occasions as they tried to investigate the fighting that took place in Wau Shilluk.
9. In January a member of the CTSAMM monitoring and verification team in Wau was killed, reportedly by SPLA-IO (Machar).
10. Whilst we try to encourage implementation of the Peace Agreement, the SPLA-IG and the SPLA-IO loyal to Dr. Machar, and other armed groups, wage relentless war and engage in the destruction of lives, homes and communities in total violation of the ceasefire agreement.
11. This conflict is not acceptable and I strongly condemn the violence, the killings, the human rights abuses, the destruction of homes and the interference in the CTSAMM operation by all armed groups around the country. Those responsible must be held accountable for the continuous suffering of innocent civilians.

Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

12. On 20th February, UN Agencies WFP, UNICEF and FAO declared a localised famine affecting about 100,000 people in northern Unity State. An additional one million are on the brink of famine in several other parts of the country.
13. A formal famine declaration means that people have already started to die from starvation. This famine, however, has nothing to do with failing rains, drought or infertile soil. It is entirely the product of violence & insecurity. When people are driven from the land in fear of their lives, production stops, food becomes scarce and people starve.
14. Every single act of violence results in ever growing numbers of refugees or IDP’s and this is deeply regretable. I find continuous reports of the denial of access for critical humanitarian aid, predominantly by the government, to be deplorable. All Parties to the Agreement must take responsibility for the protection of the South Sudanese people.
15. In the interim, we must urgently look again at all possible practical measures that we can take to alleviate the desperate suffering that millions of people are facing every day.
16. The economic crisis is deepening further. Increased insecurity in rural areas has contributed to a significant reduction in agricultural production and has also negatively impacted oil production. Together with low oil prices, these developments have caused a dramatic decline in revenues and living standards across the country.
17. The Transitional Government of National Unity has from 1st March announced an increase in work permit fees from $100 up to between $1,000 and $10,000. Such measures will affect both the public and private sectors in South Sudan by impairing future economic growth and development through a reduction in the transfer of skills and lowering foreign direct investment.
18. Increased fees levied on foreign humanitarian workers will further hinder the humanitarian relief effort in a manner that is inconsistent with the spirit of Chapter III of the Agreement. I have appealed to TGoNU to reconsider these measures.

Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

19. With regard to the implementation of the Agreement, I can report the following:
20. It should be noted that since the events of July 2016, a split in the SPLM/IO has resulted in two factions appearing: one loyal to Dr. Riek Machar, currently in exile in South Africa, which is still fighting and has been excluded from all Agreement Institutions, and the other loyal to General Taban Deng Gai, now First Vice President, who are cooperating with the Government.
21. The National Constitution Amendment Committee has held two meetings during which all the amendments to the Constitution to incorporate the Agreement have been discussed. NCAC has also met both the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs and the Minister for Cabinet Affairs and briefed them on progress. Both Ministers have affirmed the government’s commitment to the implementation of the agreement and pledged to support the work of NCAC. The Committee is working hard to complete the review of the Constitution before the end of the month.
22. We have formally submitted CTSAMM Board-certified ceasefire violation reports, including attribution, to the TGoNU and requested that both SPLA-IG and SPLA-IO advise JMEC on the actions taken regarding the reported violations.
23. The Joint Military Ceasefire Commission has continued to develop plans for cantonment. I am aware of the challenges that the JMCC is facing, predominantly in resourcing, but I hope that it will explore every option to deliver a practical and realistic solution and that a pilot programme will commence soon.
24. The Joint Integrated Police have developed a full Action Plan for 2017 and remains ready to engage training for over 1,000 police at Rajaf Training Centre. However, delays in the vetting and registration process and in resource allocation are stalling progress and I have urged the TGoNU to resolve these issues as quickly as possible.
25. The Strategic Defence and Security Review Board Chairperson and his team continue to work towards completing the Strategic Defence Review and have been working with partners on developing an initiative that will set a number of key parameters, such as armed group integration, Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR), and the right-sizing of security forces.
26. I have called upon the TGoNU to demonstrate commitment to these Agreement institutions by providing resources and facilities required to successfully achieve objectives; and I encourage the regional and international partners to support them.
27. Chapter Four of the Peace Agreement underlines the need for economic stability. Data for government spending for the first half of 2016/17 shows that, despite overspending on some areas, the Government is close to meeting its goals on the implementation of its ambitious stabilization plan.
28. Beyond the establishment in December 2016 of the Technical Committee for the National Consultative Process for the Establishment of the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing (CTHR), there has been no further progress on establishing Chapter Five mechanisms and institutions. I have yet to hear from the African Union Commission on the establishment of the Hybrid Court for South Sudan.
29. These are matters of great concern. Given the escalation of the conflict, progress towards Chapter Five mechanisms is needed now more than ever before and I appeal to all parties to move with haste to enable their swift establishment. There must be accountability for the atrocities that are being committed daily across South Sudan.

Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

20. Whether by design or default, a war is being waged around South Sudan and the security and humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. And so I wish to spell out the three defining questions that we all face together right now.
21. How do we stop the fighting? How do we stop innocent people dying of starvation? And how do we ensure that the interests and concerns of all South Sudanese communities are fully represented and considered? Peace, relief and inclusivity.
22. These three issues are wholly interconnected. The humanitarian crisis, now officially a famine, is the direct result of insecurity and armed violence perpetrated by all parties to the Agreement.
23. This insecurity and armed violence is a direct result of the perception and reality of political exclusion from the peace process.
24. And therefore, only when all the people and communities of South Sudan see that their interests and concerns are being represented, can peace return to this country, and the people return to normal life.
25. There can never be a military solution in South Sudan. To find a sustainable political solution, we must be willing to listen to all views, accommodate all constituencies and compromise.
26. Equally, a political solution cannot be imposed upon any one side by any other. We must be willing to find the appropriate solution that answers the interests of all.
27. I have met with the President of South Sudan, H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, twice in the past two weeks and had important discussions primarily focused on the principles of inclusivity and the National Dialogue initiative, which has the potential to address national grievances if it is genuinely and sincerely inclusive.
28. I have reiterated my view that the National Dialogue must hear and address the views of all communities in South Sudan, not simply those who agree with the Government. The National Dialogue must be authentic, autonomous and impartially-led for it to be credible and deliver a reliable representation of all views and concerns.
29. A National Dialogue conducted in this fashion would be a true vehicle for the full implementation of the Peace Agreement.

Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

30. To enhance its effectiveness, JMEC has established Working Committees, as permitted by the provisions of Chapter Seven of the Agreement.
31. This initiative is about utilising the full capacity and potential of JMEC and taking a collaborative approach to enhancing our oversight role, and maximising our collective ability to assess, evaluate, and support the implementation of the Agreement.

Chairman, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

32. And so finally, my recommendation is that we must continue to demand:
33. the total cessation of violence around the country and the immediate deployment of the Regional Protection Force;
34. the full and credible inclusion of all Parties and stakeholders in the political process;
35. the constant encouragement to the TGoNU to ensure a genuinely inclusive National Dialogue that involves all the estranged parties to the Agreement, other armed groups, communities, civil society and women’s groups;
36. the continued support to the NCAC to conclude their work as quickly as possible;
37. continued implementation of Chapter II Transitional Security Arrangements and cantonment activities;
38. a dramatic and immediate improvement of the conditions for delivery of humanitarian assistance and the establishment of the Special Reconstruction Fund (SRF);
39. and a renewed effort to establish the Hybrid Court for South Sudan.
40. In conclusion, therefore, and in the face of an ever-worsening situation, I believe that a resolute and unified approach by IGAD, by the African Union and by the international community can recover lost ground and I hope that we will continue to work together and play our parts in restoring hope to the people of South Sudan.
41. May God bless us all and continue to guide us in the relentless pursuit of peace.

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

15^th MARCH 2017

JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

1. I welcome you all to our March plenary.

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

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

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

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

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

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

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

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

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

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

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

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

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

DURING THE PLENARY MEETING OF THE JOINT MONITORING & EVALUATION COMMISSION

8^th FEBRUARY 2017 JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

 Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

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

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

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

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

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

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

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

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

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

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

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

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

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

27. I believe we must strive for:

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

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

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

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

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

CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN

JMEC PLENARY, 15 DECEMBER 2016

Honorable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

I am grateful for the important deliberations we have heard today. It was indeed reflective of the rough road we have travelled together over the past several months.

I must commend all of you for standing together as JMEC members, and for the support to the JMEC Secretariat. It gives us hope, and more importantly, it gives assurance to the people of South Sudan, that the road to a durable peace might be long, but certainly there is a will, and a determination to endure the journey.

Our meeting today, with a near full house, on a Saturday is a clear sign of that commitment. I want to appeal to you all to maintain this same spirit of commitment in the New Year with even more determination.

I also want to thank the Honourable Minister, Martin Elia Lumoro for his briefing today, and for the constructive responses on the part of the TGoNU. I want Hon. Micheal Makuei to convey our Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Wishes to His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit, and to his First Vice President General Taban Deng Gai and Vice President Wani Iga. We welcome the National Dialogue Initiative, and we appeal to his excellency that it should be extended to all South Sudanese, in all walks of life, across all political and other divides, and in particular to all the estranged parties to the peace agreement.

Honorable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

I am confident that our meeting today achieved the following outcomes;

• We welcome, and fully endorsed the Presidents proposed national dialogue initiative to complement the peace process, and ensure full implementation of the peace agreement going forward, and we acknowledged the appeal for support in this regard.
• We received a detailed briefing on the current humanitarian situation from UNMISS, and we welcome the commitment of the TGoNU to dialogue with UNMISS to take corrective measures going forward. We also acknowledge the observation from the TGoNU that such briefings should in future emphasize key recent updates;
• We welcome the briefing from the TGoNU on recent progress made in implementation of the Peace Agreement and the Security Council Resolution 2304. In particular, we welcome the resolutions made in the recent cantonment workshops, the launch of the national consultative committee for the establishment of the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing (CTRH), as well as completion of training of the first batch of the Joint Integrated Police. I urge the TGoNU to build on this momentum in the new year, and to accelerate implementation of key outstanding tasks as provided in the Agreement;
• We acknowledge the key role played by young people of this country, the programme of action laid down by the youth’s representative, and we look forward to constructive engagements with the youth in the peace implementation process. I encourage this spirit of partnership with JMEC, and I appeal for support of all JMEC partners and the TGoNU to the youth’s efforts;
• We also received reports and updates from all the boards and commissions reporting to JMEC, and we fully express our support to their tasks, and commit to doing whatever is within our powers to address recurring challenges, in particular;
• We welcome progress reported by the SDSR board, and the clear timelines and milestones set for its tasks ahead. We have noted its call for support and funding, and I appeal to our partners to support this important work;
• I applaud the JMCC for holding continuous meetings, the recent workshops and detailed plans for cantonment, constructive engagement with UNMISS on the RPF, and we note the recurring challenges.
• I note with concern reports of deteriorating security situation and ceasefire violations, as reported by CTSAMM, and commend CTSAMM for continuing its work amidst several challenges;
• I also welcome the significant progress made by the JIP, and we look forward to building on this momentum.
• Finally, we have called upon all parties, armed groups and the people of South Sudan to observe peace during this festive season and beyond. We appeal for full observance of the ceasefire by the parties, a spirit of dialogue and forgiveness amongst all South Sudanese, and look forward to a return to full implementation of the peace agreement, and adherence to agreed timelines and implementation schedule in the New Year.

Once again, I would like to conclude by wishing all of you, and the people of South Sudan, a merry Christmas, and a happy peaceful prosperous new year 2017.

I thank you

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

DURING THE PLENARY MEETING OF THE JOINT MONITORING & EVALUATION COMMISSION

15 DECEMBER 2016, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

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

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

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

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

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

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

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

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

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

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

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

H.E. Festus Mogae, JMEC Chairman

STATEMENT BY H.E. FESTUS G. MOGAE, CHAIRPERSON OF JMEC TO THE IGAD HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT SUMMIT ADDIS ABABA ETHIOPIA ON THE STATUS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT ON THE RESOLUTION OF THE CONFLICT IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN

9th December, 2016

H.E Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia, and Chairperson of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government,

H.E Omar Hassan al-Bashir, President of the Republic of Sudan,

H.E Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti;

H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan;

H.E Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia. H.E Sam Kuteesa, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Uganda

H.E Amina Mohammed, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kenya

Apologies from H.E Festus G Mogae

Excellencies; Ladies and Gentlemen;

I thank you for the opportunity to address you at this important summit. JMEC is grateful for IGAD’s support and guidance in what has been a challenging undertaking.

The peace process in South Sudan continues to face significant challenges. The security situation has deteriorated, the economy is near collapse, and the humanitarian crisis has deepened significantly since my last report to you.

The agreement to end hostilities and establish a permanent ceasefire which underpins the peace agreement continues to be violated. The widening of the armed conflict to the Greater Equatoria and Bahr el Ghazal regions and the emergence of armed groups not party to the peace agreement has further compounded insecurity and complicated the environment for implementation of the peace agreement.

There remain notable gaps in representation in the current political process, and the institutions and mechanisms of the peace agreement. As you are aware, some parties to the peace agreement have abandoned the process following the events of early July. JMEC takes the view that the peace agreement can still be implemented. However, concerted efforts must be made to ensure inclusivity of all parties willing to resume the implementation process.

JMEC continues to encourage all parties to resume full implementation of the peace agreement. To this end, I have urged all parties, more particularly the Transitional Government of National Unity, to demonstrate leadership and campaign for peace and assume a more visible stance in propagating peace among all communities and citizens of South Sudan.

An inclusive political process can only be sustained within a secure environment. I welcome the recent statement by the Transitional Government of National Unity that all outstanding issues related to the deployment of the Regional Protection Force (RPF) had been resolved. The deployment of the RPF is a critical factor in establishing a safe and secure environment for the implementation of the peace agreement.

I must express my regret that the participation in UNMISS of one of our key partners has been disrupted. In light of Kenya’s historic and important role in South Sudan’s peace process, I plead with your Excellencies to urge H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, the President of the Republic of Kenya to remain fully engaged including by participating in the Regional Protection Force.

The conflict has deepened and widened the humanitarian crisis. Thousands of people continue to flee the violence into neighbouring countries. This situation has worsened the regional humanitarian crisis, yet the UN Refugee Response Plan is underfunded.

The numbers of Internally Displaced Persons has also increased exponentially as people flee fighting and insecurity. The majority (over 80%) of IDPs are women and children. Additionally, almost 1/3rd of the population remains food insecure as the economic crisis worsens.

Humanitarian agencies have continued to encounter difficulties posed by insecurity in delivering much needed aid. I welcome President Kiir’s recent establishment of a High Level Humanitarian Oversight Committee tasked with coordinating humanitarian services. Government facilitation of unhindered humanitarian access and safe passage across the country is essential and should be assured.

The ceasefire is continously violated with devastating effect on civilians. Numerous clashes between SPLA- IG and SPLA- IO forces and other armed groups continue almost daily across Western Bahr El-Ghazal, Upper Nile, and Unity States. Regretably, CTSAMM continues to face challenges and obstacles in verifiying and reporting on many of these incidents.

There are increasing reports of targeted and revenge killings, sexual violence, torture and destruction of farmland and property being committed by uniformed forces of the parties and other armed groups in parts of the Greater Equatoria and Bahr el Ghazal regions.

In Central Equatoria, armed militia groups continue to target vehicles and convoys carrying goods and civilians. There is also a rise in inflammatory rhetoric, which carries the potential for wider violent ethno-centric conflict.

There is little doubt that this continued and growing trend of violence is having a very negative effect on the hopes of the people of South Sudan on the peace process.

I have made constant appeals to all parties and armed groups to renounce violence and exercise maximum restraint in pursuit of peace. I commend IGAD Heads of State and Government for remaining actively engaged in seeking solutions to the deteriorating situation in South Sudan.

Economically, South Sudan is in the throes of a deep economic crisis. The July violence resulted in a marked deterioration in the economic situation. Annual inflation reached 835% in October 2016.

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

The Transitional Government of National Unity should be commended for the Draft Budget for 2016/17, which has cut expenditure by 50% from the previous year’s budget. However, only half of the spending is financed by revenues and grants. Also, the resources allocated in the budget for education and health services are woefully inadequate. In 2015/6 earmarked spending in these areas accounted for only 5 1⁄2 % of total government spending. These services are a priority for the ordinary citizen and need to be urgently improved. The government in partnership with the international community needs to come up with agreed packages to reverse the deterioration of these services.

It is also important that for South Sudan to come out of the economic quagmire it finds itself in, and to enter into a growth trajectory, the government needs to undertake an urgent and genuine reform program in partnership with the international community. Going forward, a long-term horizon in economic policy is needed. The government sector will need to be downsized to a level that can be financed sustainably.

Despite some of the above mentioned challenges, I am pleased to report some encouraging signs of cooperation and progress in some areas of the Peace Agreement:

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

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

JMEC has hosted two JMCC workshops, one on operationalising UNSC Resolution 2304 and the other on the critical objective of cantonments with a clear aim of resolving key practical issues.

Joint Integrated Police trainees consisting of over 1,100 men and women are currently in training at the Rajaf Training Centre. Once their training is completed they will be deployed in and around Juba. It is encouraging that the trainees are drawn from both principal parties to the agreement and contain approximately 24% female trainees.

The Chairperson of the Strategic Defense and Security Review Board is working closely with JMEC to continue the establishment of the Secretariat and Board. JMEC is confident that the previous work on security sector reform in accordance with the Articles of chapter two of the Agreement will continue and remains critical.

The TGoNU has also now approved the new chairperson of the National Constitutional Amendment Committee appointed by IGAD, and he is currentlt in Juba ready to commence his important responsibility.

The JMEC board plenary is meeting regularly, and receiving regular updates from the Transitional Government of National Unity on its efforts to implement the peace agreement.

I share the IGAD leaders’ conviction that South Sudan’s best hope for a sustainable peace lies in full implementation of the Peace Agreement. This conviction is equally held by the many war-weary South Sudanese I meet with in Juba everday and the international community. Every effort should therefore be made by the region to ensure a return to full implementation and to prevent a renewed armed conflict in the country.

In conclusion therefore, I recommend the following:

• That you urge all the Parties to the agreement, including those currently out of the peace process, to denounce violence and pursue a peaceful path to addressing their grievances;
• That all steps be taken to enforce the cessation of hostilities, restore the permanent ceasefire, and implement the Transitional Security Arrangements mechanisms.
• That steps be taken to fast-track the deployment of the Regional Protection Force to establish a secure enviroment in Juba, guarantee stability, and enhance confidence, and support implementation of the peace agreement;
• Encourage H.E President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the TGoNU to welcome all agreement parties willing to rejoin the peace process to do so in the spirit of greater inclusivity, forgiveness and reconciliation;
• Insist that TGoNU guarantees The Ceasefiire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism’s freedom of movement and support its mandate in monitoring compliance by the parties to the peace agreement;
• Appeal to the International community for increased resources to meet the humanitarain needs and urge TGoNU to ensure unimpeded access, safety and security for humanitarian convoys and aid workers.
• Support the TGoNU to undertake practical and genuine reforms provided for in the agreement to build an inclusive, peaceful and democratic society founded on the rule of law;
• Ensure genuine accountability for gross human rights violations, including sexual and gender based crimes committed, and expedite the establishment of the agreed mechanisms and institutions provided for under Chapter 5 of the Agreement.

Finally, I would like to express my appreciation to your Excellencies for your continued and tireless efforts in pursuit of durable peace in South Sudan.

I thank you.

H.E. Festus Mogae, Chairperson, Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission

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, 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.