A free and open media is vital to South Sudan’s democratic space, the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), has said.

Speaking during the official closing ceremony of a two-day media workshop in Juba on Friday, JMEC Deputy Chairperson Ambassador Augostino Njoroge said,

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation (JMEC) has called on the South Sudan media to be part of the solution in the country’s quest for durable peace.

Speaking during a workshop that targeted members of South Sudan media, JMEC Chief of Staff, Ambassador Berhanu Kebede said,

The Representative of the Media Authority,

The Representatives from Journalists for Human Rights,

Distinguished guests,

Members of the press,

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Good morning!

Allow me at the outset to start by extending warm greetings from His Excellency Festus Mogae, the chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission and from the entire leadership of the Commission. 

I want to take this opportunity to thank Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) for partnering with JMEC in convening this workshop which I consider to be instrumental for you as representatives of the different media outlets understand your role, in the ongoing efforts to restore peace and inclusive governance in the South Sudan.

As you all know, the implementation of the 2015 peace agreement was undermined by the events of July 2016 and the subsequent expansion of the conflict within South Sudan. New political and military groups emerged and the fighting in the country covered large areas. Additionally, some agreement parties left Juba. As a result of these developments, implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS) was severely compromised both in letter and spirit. JMEC’s evaluation and monitoring reports throughout 2016 captured this sad state of affairs.  

Consequently, President Festus Mogae made a recommendation to IGAD to urgently consider measures to get the implementation of the ARCSS back on track. IGAD Heads of State then decided to convene a High Level Revitalization Forum on the 2015 agreement.

The HLRF initiative drew its mandate from the IGAD 31stSummit of the Heads states and governments held on 12th June 2017 in Addis Ababa. The process was spear headed by the IGAD Council of Ministers with facilitation by the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, Dr. Ismail Wais, and his task force composed of Advisors from JMEC and the IGAD Secretariat.

The cardinal objectives of the HLRF were:

1.  Restore the permanent ceasefire,

2.  Return to full implementation of the Peace Agreement and

3.  Develop a revised and realistic timeline and implementation schedule towards democratic elections at the end of the transition period;

 Ladies and gentlemen,

As you may be aware, the HLRF has achieved important milestones since its commencement in December of 2017, in Addis Ababa. The Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access was signed on 21st December 2017. Progress was made incrementally on the revitalization of Chapter 1 and 2 of the Agreement and during the Khartoum round of negotiations, agreement was reached on outstanding issues on Security and responsibility sharing. 

Ladies and gentlemen and the representatives of the press,

It is our earnest hope that peace will be restored fully to South Sudan and that the fully revitalized Peace Agreement will be comprehensively implemented by the Parties. It is also our expectation that following the signing of the revitalized agreement, the millions of internally displaced South Sudanese and refugees will voluntarily return to their homes and fully participate in the reconstruction of their country.

We at JMEC remain optimistic that at this point in time that parties to the conflict will demonstrate absolute determination and political commitment to bring lasting peace to their motherland, South Sudan and work relentlessly for the peaceful integration of divided communities. 

Your coverage of the conflict and the peace process in your various media platforms could be described as double-edged. History shows the media can fuel wars and turn communities against each other. Equally, the media can be agents of peace and reconciliation, counter hate speech, fight impunity and uphold supremacy of the law. 

Members of the press, 

JMEC calls on you to play a critical role in this endeavour. We urge you to; promote cohesion; build brotherhood and good neighborliness. JMEC wants you to be part of the solution, not part of the problem and above all, hold the signatories of these Agreements accountable. Remind them that South Sudan and indeed the world are watching. Violators of the signed agreements must be known, exposed and held accountable. Only then will the trust of the people in the political leaders be regained and true inclusivity achieved. 

I would like to seize this opportunity to urge the government and the opposition to keep the momentum of constructive political engagement that we have so far witnessed during the HLRF process and to bring about lasting peace to South Sudan, which is blessed with huge natural resources and an active population. This window of opportunity which is pivotal to bring South Sudan out of the conflict should not be wasted.

Let the South Sudanese Political actors with the support of the region and the international community say enough is enough to the conflict and lay the foundation for the emergence of South Sudan that enjoys its proper place in the Regional and International arena. 

It is my hope, and that of JMEC, that this workshop will strengthen the vital role of the media in the peace-building process in the country. 

With these brief remarks, I now declare this workshop officially open.

May God bless you and the people of South Sudan.

Thank you very much.

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Thursday, Augsut 16, 2018, Juba, South Sudan

Be part of the solution, JMEC tells media

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation (JMEC) has called on the South Sudan media to be part of the solution in the country’s questfor durable peace.

Speaking during a workshop that targeted members of South Sudan media, JMEC Chief of Staff, Ambassador Berhanu Kebede said,

“We urge you to promote cohesion; build brotherhood and good neighborliness. JMEC wants you to be part of the solution, not part of the problem and above all, hold the signatories of these Agreements accountable.” 

The workshop organized in collaboration with Journalists for Human Rights (JHR), is aimed at giving an update on the Peace Process, receive a briefing on progress on the implementation of the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities and Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access (ACoH) from the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM),as well as impart skills on how to write reconciliation stories to 100 journalists attached to local and international media houses based in Juba.

He urged the media to remind the Parties that “South Sudan and indeed the world are watching.” 

“Violators of the signed agreements must be known and exposed. Only then will the trust of the people in the political leaders be regained and true inclusivity achieved,” he added.

Ambassador Kebede said mediacoverage of the conflict and the peace process in the various media platforms in the country “could be described as double-edged”

“History shows the media can fuel wars and turn communities against each other. Equally, the media can be agents of peace and reconciliation, counter hate speech, fight impunity and uphold supremacy of the law,” he said.

The Chief of Staff said, it is the commission’s “earnest hope that peace will be restored fully to South Sudan and that the fully revitalized Peace Agreement will be comprehensively implemented by the Parties.” 

“We at JMEC remain optimistic that at this point in time that parties to the conflict will demonstrate absolute determination and political commitment to bring lasting peace to their motherland, South Sudan and work relentlessly for the peaceful integration of divided communities,” he noted.

“Following the signing of the revitalized agreement, the millions of internally displaced South Sudanese and refugees will voluntarily return to their homes and fully participate in the reconstruction of their country.”

Ambassador Kebede further urged the government and the opposition “to keep the momentum of constructive political engagement that we have so far witnessed during the HLRF process and to bring about lasting peace to South Sudan.”

“This window of opportunity, which is pivotal to bring South Sudan out of the conflict, should not be wasted,” he said.

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) has lauded the latest signing of the outstanding issues on Governance between Parties, terming it as a ray of hope for the people of South Sudan.

Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Tuesday, August 7, 2018, Juba, South Sudan

JMEC lauds the signing of the outstanding issues on Governance as part of the revitalization of the ARCSS.

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) welcomes the signing of the outstanding issues on Governance between Parties to the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, which took place in Khartoum on Sunday 5th August 2018. 

This most-recent signing strengthens efforts to revitalize the 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS), and is expected to lead to the achievement of an inclusive, comprehensive peace, restore security, stability and promote national reconciliation in the Republic of South Sudan.

Further, the Commission urges the Parties to commit to an honest and effective implementation of the revitalized Agreement going forward. Undoubtedly, the signing comes as a ray of hope for the people of South Sudan who have witnessed the devastation of war for far too long.

Following the signing, the Commission reminds the Parties of the need to work together in good faith as efforts continue to finalise the revitalization of the remaining chapters ARCSS with consequential amendments.

JMEC looks forward to working with all Parties to ensure the full implementation of the revitalized ARCSS. 

The Commission further lauds the leadership of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN), the International Community and all partners for their sustained efforts to ensure a lasting peace is achieved in the country.

ENDS

The Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), H.E. Festus Mogae has on Wednesday held discussions with envoys in South Sudan. 

 H.E. Mogae briefed the Juba-based envoys from IGAD, African Union, Troika (the UK, US and Norway), UNMISS and the European Union (EU) on the ongoing revitalization process in Khartoum and what is stake going forward.

The briefing also included progress made by the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) towards the amendment of South Sudan constitution.

The chairperson had a separate meeting with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for South Sudan David Shearerand his deputy Moustapha Soumaré.

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) has expressed outrage and condemns the attack on humanitarian workers and the destruction of facilities and equipment at the Maban camp, in Northern Upper Nile.

In a Press statement issued on Wednesday JMEC said, 

“Attacks on aid workers who diligently offer their services to alleviate the suffering of people of South Sudan, are deeply regrettable and indeed a violation of the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access signed in December 2017.”

“Unfortunately, this is one of the many other attacks that targeted aid workers in the country in the recent past, including killings of personnel.

JMEC calls on the authorities to carry out an independent investigation into the attack and to hold those responsible to account,” it added.

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Wednesday, July 25, 2018, Juba, South Sudan

JMEC condemns attack on aid workers in Maban Camp

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) expresses its outrage and strongly condemns the attack on humanitarian workers and the destruction of facilities and equipment at the Maban camp, in Northern Upper Nile.

Attacks on aid workers who diligently offer their services to alleviate the suffering of people of South Sudan, are deeply regrettable and indeed a violation of the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access signed in December 2017.

Unfortunately, this is one of the many other attacks that targeted aid workers in the country in the recent past, including killings of personnel. 

JMEC calls on the authorities to carry out an independent investigation into the attack and to hold those responsible to account. 

ENDS

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) wants a “high level consultative mechanism” formed to periodically review the implementation of the Peace Agreement and take “time and decisive” actions against spoilers and violators. 

Representatives of Civil Society have presented their amendment proposals to the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) on South Sudan’s National Elections Act, 2012. 

The proposals were developed following a stakeholder’s workshop on the Political Parties Act, 2012 and the National Elections Act, 2012.