PRESS RELEASE


(For Immediate Publication)

22nd January 2018, Juba, South Sudan

JMEC DEMANDS FULL SUPPORT FOR CTSAMM

JMEC Chairman, H.E. Festus Mogae, demands that all parties fully respect and comply with the terms of the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access, signed on 21st December 2017, and calls upon all sides to fulfil their obligations to the international ceasefire monitoring body, CTSAMM.

“CTSAMM teams are the direct representatives of IGAD and the wider international community on the ground in South Sudan and as such they must command our full respect and total cooperation.

“CTSAMM has and will continue to monitor the Permanent Ceasefire and the most recent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement to the best of its ability and with total impartiality. CTSAMM has and will continue to report any verified violations of the ceasefire, either in terms of specific acts of violence, military movement or any other actions that contravene the terms of the Agreement. Where necessary and where proven, CTSAMM apportions blame and responsibility as appropriate.

“CTSAMM is actively monitoring and investigating a number of incidents and movements around the country. It remains the responsibility of all Parties signatory to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement to uphold their obligations to ensure unrestricted access to CTSAMM ceasefire monitors so that they can accurately and speedily report on the situation around the country.

“Article 4, paragraph 3 of the ACOH says, “the parties shall not carry out unwarranted verbal or physical attacks against CTSAMM, JMEC, IGAD, AU, UN or any other entity associated with implementation of this agreement.”

“It is therefore regrettable that public statements continue to be made which have the effect of undermining public acceptance of and confidence in regional and international peacekeeping efforts. It is the parties’ responsibility to ensure cooperation with CTSAMM and UNMISS to guarantee safe, open access to monitoring efforts and investigation teams, and CTSAMM’s work should not be impeded or interfered with in any way.”

ENDS