The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) has on Wednesday begun an orientation and review workshop on the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict of South Sudan (ARCSS) for youth representatives in South Sudan.

Speaking during the official opening of the two-day workshop in Juba on Wednesday, JMEC Deputy Chairperson Amb. Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge said it is essential for the youth in the country to understand the ARCSS and its implementation process “in a more detailed and informed way”.

The workshop involved Chapter-by-Chapter presentations and review of the Agreement and in-depth discussions of the role the youth can play in forging the implementation of the 2015 Agreement forward. 

In his remarks, Amb. Njoroge said, evaluation reports by six JMEC Working Committees show that the permanent ceasefire “has been and continues to be violated by all the Parties with impunity and as such security has deteriorated to a critical level.” 

“Violations reported to both SPLA-IG and SPLA-IO have not been addressed. JMEC continues to urge all the warring parties to stop the fighting so that other critical aspects of the ARCSS may move forward,” he said.

The Deputy Chairperson also said the planned IGAD-led revitalization forum and the ongoing plans towards the process “offers an opportunity for the leaders of all communities (in South Sudan) to sit together to agree on how to end the violence and determine the way forward”. 

The workshop brought together about 40 youth representatives drawn from various organizations in the capital, Juba.

“JMEC acknowledges the need to promote inclusivity and popular ownership of the ARCSS among different stakeholders and we believe that you (the youth) and the many young people you represent are a critical link in this quest,” he said.

“Our goal is the realization of enduring peace, stability and democracy in the Republic of South Sudan. We hope this workshop will contribute to empowering you (the youth), to effectively participate, advocate and strategically engage all the parties and other stakeholders, to ensure its full implementation.”