PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

 17th December 2017, Juba, South Sudan

JMEC Chairman, H.E. Festus Mogae, has appealed to IGAD leaders to remain united under one voice and to encourage the South Sudanese leadership to seize this opportunity to restore the Peace Agreement to centre stage.

Speaking during the 59th Extra-ordinary session of the IGAD Council of Ministers in Addis Ababa Ethiopia on Sunday, the Chairman said, “I appeal to IGAD to be resolute, without fear or favour, in their determination to ensure the success of the revitalisation forum. This is a huge opportunity that cannot be wasted or squandered”.

The chairman reiterated that the region must approach the revitalization with strength of purpose. “Collectively, it is critical that the IGAD Heads of State and Governments prevail over the South Sudanese leadership to rethink the current trajectory of the country and take the necessary steps to restore peace and inclusive governance” He added.

The Chairman called upon all the South Sudanese participants at the High Level Revitalisation Forum to remain focused on the desperate plight of the people of South Sudan. President Mogae said, “For them, we must stop the fighting, end the violence, deal with criminality, prevent sexual and human rights abuses, reduce human suffering and address the economic crisis.

“I reiterate my call to all South Sudanese stakeholders that, as they come to the table in search of a sustainable political solution, they must renounce violence and demonstrate the political will to compromise and accommodate one another”.

He added that progress of any sort is only possible within a peaceful and secure environment. “It is simply not possible to overstate the fundamental necessity for an immediate cessation of all hostilities. Without that, we stand no chance of stemming the tide of displacement, enabling unhindered delivery of aid to those in need or contemplating the return of IDPs and refugees to their homes”, he said.