Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Wednesday, 26 August 2020, Juba, South Sudan

RJMEC EXPRESSES SYMPATHY FOR LOSS OF LIFE; APPEALS FOR RESTRAINT AND PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS  

Following the recent security situation in the Equatoria region, RJMEC expresses regret and sympathy for the loss of lives and displacement of civilians, and calls on all sides to exercise restraint.  

RJMEC further urges all signatories to fully implement the four key documents, namely, the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) of December 2017, the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) of September 2018, the Rome Declaration of January 2020 and the Rome Resolution of February 2020. These documents provide the framework of the protection of civilians and sustainable peace and prosperity in South Sudan. 

The Rome Declaration of January 2020 and the Rome Resolution of February 2020 in particular, contain affirmation from the Government Delegation and the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA), including NAS / General Thomas Cirillo, of their commitment to pursue dialogue. 

It should be noted that the recent ambush in Lobonok is contrary to the letter and spirit of all these four documents, and any loss of life perpetrated by the signatories and non-signatories is in direct contravention and should be avoided at all costs.  

RJMEC wishes to highlight in particular the following key provisions of the Rome Declaration of January 2020. That the signatories (inter alia):

-       “Mindful of the unprecedented suffering of the people of South Sudan caused by the devastating civil war and the urgent need to cease hostilities”;

-       “Reaffirm their will to foster political dialogue”; and

-       “Commit/recommit and adhere to the CoHA of December 2017 to avoid any further armed confrontation across the country by signatories and non-signatories.”

Furthermore, the Rome Resolution makes clear that, by signing it, the following was agreed (inter alia):

 -       SSOMA becomes a member of CTSAMVM upon signing of the Resolution;

-       SSOMA be represented in all CTSAMVM structures in equal numbers as the other warring parties; and

-       SSOMA shall fully cooperate with CTSAMVM by allowing unconditional access for the purposes of monitoring and evaluation as well as humanitarian access. 

Failure to respect and operationalise the provisions of the CoHA, the Rome Declaration and the Rome Resolution, risks further harm to the lives of citizens of South Sudan at a time when there are many challenges which require protection of civilians to be of paramount importance.  

RJMEC appeals to all Parties to exercise caution, restraint and engage in dialogue in the spirit of respecting the agreements in order to achieve durable peace in South Sudan. 

ENDS