Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Monday, July 16, 2018, Juba, South Sudan

JMEC Deputy chairperson: The impact of the war on civilians is “deeply disheartening” 

The continuous killings of civilians, sexual violence against women, the displacement of children, the elderly and disabled persons in South Sudan are “deeply disheartening”, the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) has said.

Speaking during the opening of a four-day orientation workshop in Juba on Monday, JMEC Deputy Chairperson Ambassador Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge said, 

“The impact of the war on the civilian population is deeply disheartening. We in the JMEC, particularly deeply regret the killing of civilians, sexual violence against women, the displacement of children, the elderly and disabled persons,”. 

“Today, we are still being confronted by increased hostilities amongst different Parties and flagrant violations of the permanent ceasefire. The continuously deteriorating political, security, humanitarian and economic situation in the country has caused unprecedented displacement, famine and economic meltdown.” He added. 

This, he said, as evidenced in the report by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and United Nations Human Rights released in June.

“We strongly condemn any acts of violence on civilian population and remind the parties to respect the spirit and fully commit to the letter and spirit of Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, signed by all Parties to the conflict on 21st December 2017,” he said.

Notably, he added, the economic situation continues to worsen. “The effects of the war are putting more pressure on an already fragile economy and causing more despair amongst the South Sudanese population,” he noted. 


Despite all these setbacks, the Deputy Chairperson said, the Commission continues to urge all South Sudanese to play a part in positively engaging in the peace process. 

“I call on all of you here to be the front-runners in promoting peace in the country.”

The workshop themed, “Peace in Time: Creating awareness for the Youth on the South Sudan Peace Process” is organized by JMEC in collaboration with the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative and brings together 200 students from the center. 

Information and awareness about the content and procedures of the Peace process, including all the agreements that have emanated from it, is crucial in enabling effective participation among the South Sudanese population, Ambassador said.

ENDS