OPENING STATEMENT BY H.E. FESTUS G. MOGAE, CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT MONITORING & EVALUATION COMMISSION DURING THE PLENARY MEETING OF 22 NOVEMBER 2016 IN JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I welcome you all to this JMEC Plenary here in Juba this morning. We have much to report and update. Some positive, some not so positive.

To set the scene, we meet here today amidst fresh public warnings of mass killings, a severe humanitarian crisis and constant news of unremitting violence perpetrated by all sides to the Agreement and by armed groups and criminals.

Public statements of such gravity made by the UN Secretary General and the Director of UN OCHA cannot be taken lightly.

At our last meeting, our primary concern was the immediate restoration of the ceasefire, and I am dismayed to report that no evident or meaningful progress has been made in that regard. Almost daily we receive reports of violence from around the country that serve to remind us of the enormity of our task and the very fragile nature of peace in the country.

However, I intend to take time today to note and recognise the re-emergence of cooperation and progress being made within the Peace Agreement by the Transitional Security Arrangement Mechanisms. I am also encouraged by the steps being taken to address the crisis in the economy and government finances.

Since our last meeting, there have been a wide range of high level briefings and meetings. I have met with the Ethiopian Prime Minister in Addis Ababa; the AU Peace and Security Council has visited South Sudan and received comprehensive briefings on the situation; the JMEC Partners Meeting took place in Kampala on 10th November, where I took the opportunity to meet with President Museveni.

In the past week I have consulted with the leadership of South Sudan, and held discussions with the President, the First Vice President and the Vice President.

Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The ceasefire that underpins the Peace Agreement continues to be challenged in some areas. The immediate cessation of hostilities and the restoration of the ceasefire remains our singlemost important priority. I am conciously and deliberately repeating my message from last month.

While CTSAMM will give a more detailed brief later, I note that violations of the ceasefire, perpetrated by uniformed armed forces of SPLA-IG and SPLA-IO, and acts of violence and criminality by other armed groups continue unabated.

In greater Equatoria fighting continues alongside the targeting of civilians, gross violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and continuing incidents of sexual violence.

In Central Equatoria, armed groups continue to target vehicles and convoys carrying goods and civilians in acts of retaliation against government operations. And there are reports of a rise in inflammatory rhetoric, which carries the potential for wider violent ethno-centric conflict.

Numerous clashes between IO and IG forces and other armed groups continue almost daily across Western Bahr El-Ghazal, Upper Nile, and Unity States.

There is little doubt that this continued and growing trend of violence is having a very negative effect on the hopes of the people of South Sudan, and on the partners and countries who invest so much to support this country.

All Parties and armed groups owe it to the people of South Sudan to renounce violence and I appeal to all communities and to the armed forces of the Parties to the Agreement to exercise maximum restraint.

Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

We do, however, have some encouraging signs of cooperation and progress within the Articles of the Peace Agreement, and I wish to note and recognise these formally.

Within Chapter One, I welcome the approval by the TGoNU of the appointment of the Chairperson of the National Constitutional Amendment Committee, Mr Gichira Kibara.

Within Chapter Two, the Transitional Security Arrangement Mechanisms that I have previously described as “disintegrated” have now been revived and re-constituted. Whilst they are not all fully representative or inclusive, they are balanced and capable of driving this critical element of the Agreement forward.

The Joint Military Ceasefire Commission has met consistently each week for the past two months and is actively pursuing its terms of reference. It has fair representation from all Parties, with the notable exception of those forces who remain loyal to Dr Riek Machar.

Just last week, JMEC hosted a two-day JMCC workshop on the critical objective of cantonment with a clear aim of resolving key practical issues. I am pleased to report that participants from all Parties looked at the practical measures, approaches and principles that would be required to establish and prepare cantonment sites, with appropriate physical and logistic support. We will continue to support the JMCC in the execution of their task.

The Joint Integrated Police has in excess of 850 men and women currently positioned at the police training facility at Rajaf and has received approval from TGoNU to commence training. Various partners have indicated a willingness to help provide facilities and training support. Once underway, it is anticipated that the training programme will last up to six weeks and once completed they will deploy in and around Juba. It is encouraging that the trainees come from both principal Parties to the Agreement and that the female component of the trainees appears in excess of 25%.

The Chairperson of the SDSR Board is working closely with JMEC to continue the establishment of the Secretariat and Board. JMEC is confident that the previous work on Security Sector Reform in accordance with the Articles of Chapter Two can continue.

Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

We continue to place great emphasis on the issue of political inclusion. There remain notable gaps in representation within the political process and the Institutions and Mechanisms of the Peace Agreement.

The sustainability of the Peace process is of paramount importance. Our emphasis therefore remains on the need to re-establish an environment within which all the people of South Sudan, irrespective of their ethnicity or background, can safely return and engage in constructive and peaceful dialogue.

We urge the TGoNU and all Parties to the Agreement to create an enviroment conducive to inclusivity and constructive dialogue. We commend those who continue to bring a spirit of engagement and cooperation. All Parties must be included and must include themselves.

We urge all Parties, and most particularly the TGoNU, to demonstrate leadership and campaign for peace confidently. I appeal to the President of the Republic of South Sudan and the TGoNU to assume a higher profile and a more visible stance in propagating peace among all communities and citizens of South Sudan.

The only offensive South Sudan needs right now is a Peace Offensive. A nationwide campaign of visits and speeches, standing side by side with civil society leaders and speaking words of togetherness, forgiveness, and a unified future.

The voice and contribution of faith based leaders, women, Elders, private sector, civil society and youth cannot be understated. Their voice must be heard without fear of oppression or constraint.

We welcome the amnesty granted to the SPLA/IO soldiers who had crossed into the Democratic Republic of Congo. We support and encourage all such examples of reconciliation.

We further encourage the TGoNU to expand the democratic space in South Sudan, rather than reducing it. A responsible and ethical media can facilitate a culture of open dialogue. There can be no justification for shutting down and intimidating media simply for reporting divergent views.

On an internal note of inclusivity, I am concerned that the replacement of representatives by the legitimate bodies of Civil Society Organisations and Youth has had the effect of dramatically reducing the participation of women in JMEC. I therefore propose that both appointing bodies be allowed two representatives – one male and one female.

Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

An inclusive political process can only be sustained within a secure environment. The deployment of the Regional Protection Force is a critical element within the establishment of a conducive environment that encourages and strengthens confidence in the implementation of the Agreement.

Last month we welcomed the commitments made by the TGoNU to review the transitional security arrangments for Juba in light of the agreed deployment of the Regional Protection Force. I find it regrettable, however, that final consent has not yet been given. With a minimum lead in time of six months, every day’s delay sets us back. We must all continue to work with UNMISS and TGoNU to expedite this matter to a swift conclusion.

I must also express my regret that the participation of one of our key partners has been disrupted. In light of the important role played by Kenya throughout this peace process, I hope and trust that the Government of Kenya will remain engaged and that we can work together for the greater good.

Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Violent conflict and the attendant insecurity has deepened and widened the humanitarian crisis. Thousands of people continue to flee into exile. The influx of South Sudanese refugees (188,133) has turned Bidibidi refugee camp in Uganda into the third largest refugee camp in the world. I commend the international community for responding positively to appeals to fund humanitarian aid.

The numbers of Internally Displaced Persons has increased particularly in Eastern Equatoria and parts of Western Bar El Ghazal as people flee fighting and insecurity. The majority (over 80%) of IDPs are women and children.Additionally, a large percentage of the population remains food insecure as the economic situation worsens.

I welcome the release on 26 October of 145 children who had been conscripted into armed groups as child soldiers and urge that all parties end the illegal practice of recruiting children into fighting forces. I commend UNICEF and all partners working towards ending the use of child soldiers.

The immediate and constant Government facilitation of unhindered humanitarian access across the country is essential in relieving this dire situation. But humanitarian suffering and human rights violations in South Sudan are a direct product of the violence we are seeing. Only when the violence ends will the suffering stop.

On behalf of JMEC, I would like to offer our immense thanks for the exceptional service of the departing UN SRSG, Mrs Ellen Loej. We owe her a great debt of gratitude for her two years of commitment and we wish her well in her retirement.

Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

South Sudan is going through a deep economic crisis, the roots of which lie in a protracted war and previously poor fiscal and economic management.

The economic situation deteriorated markedly with the violence in July. Monthly inflation averaged 41 per cent over the three months June - August and as of October the annualized inflation rate is 835%.

The economic situation interacts directly with the security situation. Security is a pre-requisite for a stable economy which is in turn a prerequisite for peace and prosperity. For any economic progress to occur, the security situation must be stabilized.

High levels of food insecurity now prevail due to low agricultural production as people continue to abandon the rural areas to flee the violence. Insecurity on major roads has disrupted transportation of goods to market. All these factors create inflationary pressures. With greater insecurity, international aid is increasingly diverted from development projects to humanitarian relief, further weakening the prospects of growth.

The TGoNU should be commended for the Draft Budget for 2016/17 tabled in Cabinet in October, which has cut expenditures by 50% in USD terms from the previous budget. Despite these deep cuts, however, only half of the spending is financed by revenues and grants. Only a small part of the remaining deficit is covered by the present financing plan. We hope that the TGoNU will come up with a plan to cover this shortfall.

The TGoNU has recently implemented two promising initiatives to better manage public finances. First, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning has introduced a cash budget which means spending is related to and controlled by actual cash available.

Second, the Bank of South Sudan has established a Treasury Single Account into which all government revenues are to be deposited and from which all government disbursements should be made. A Treasury Single Account is a key provision of Chapter IV of the Agreement and is a pillar of international good practice in financial management. Revenues and expenditures are now to be clearly and transparently presented and monitored.

Going forward, a long term horizon in economic policy is needed. The government sector will need to be downsized to a level that can be financed sustainably.

Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

This Peace Agreement and pursuit of its articles and instruments remains our best hope and opportunity to make progress towards a sustainable settlement.

The security and humanitarian situation is precarious but there are areas within the Agreement where progress is being made, however slight.

I make the following recommendations:

• Hostilities must end and the ceasefire must be observed by all Parties and armed groups with immediate effect;
• Inclusivity and representation within the political process and representation of all Parties within the Institutions and Mechanisms of the Agreement must be credibly and actively re-established as quickly as possible;
• The TGoNU is encouraged to assume a higher profile and a more visible stance in campaigning for peace among the citizens of South Sudan;
• The progress of the Transitional Security Arrangement Mechanisms, the Ministry of Finance and Bank of South Sudan is noted, recognised and further encouraged;
• The institutions of the Agreement and the formation of those envisioned should be expedited;
• The Regional Protection Force should be deployed as quickly as possible to establish a neutral and secure environment within which implementation of the Peace Agreement can continue.

Excellencies, Honourable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen,

In conclusion, my expectations of this Plenary meeting are that:

• We continue to pronounce our commitment to this Peace Agreement and call upon all Parties to continue its implementation;
• We receive a detailed briefing from the TGoNU on progress made in implementing the Agreement to date, and in particular how they intend to make the process more inclusive;
• We receive an update on the current humanitarian situation from UNMISS and a clear commitment from the TGoNU to enable unhindered humanitarian assistance;
• We receive reports on the status of the various boards and commissions (JMCC, SDSRB, CTSAMM, JIP-MT) and their progress towards implementation of their tasks.

I must take this opportunity to thank all our partners in TGoNU, the other South Sudanese stakeholders, IGAD, AU, Troika, EU, China, UNMISS, the International partners and friends of South Sudan for their commitment and continued support.

The people of South Sudan look to us all to resolve the differences that will end this conflict and bring about a real prospect of peaceful and sustainable national development.

May God bless us all and guide us in the relentless pursuit of peace.

H.E. Festus Mogae

Chairperson, Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission

CONCLUDING REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN

JMEC PLENARY MEETING

19 October 2016

JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN

Excellencies, Honorable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen;

I thank you all for your commitment to the peace process demonstrated by your efforts to date;

I encourage all members to use this forum as a platform for frank and honest conversation in support of the peace process;

Most importantly, I greatly appreciate the comprehensive presentation and briefing by the TGoNU provided to us by Hon. Martin Elia Lumoro. I look forward to continuing this welcome spirit of cooperation with JMEC;

Excellencies, Honorable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen;

I am confident that our meeting today has achieved its objectives, namely;

• We have all given a resounding demonstration of our commitment to the peace agreement and reaffirmed our willingness to welcome back all parties who want to resume full implementation of the peace process;
• We have received a comprehensive briefing from the TGoNU on the progress that has been made to date, identified outstanding tasks, and the TGoNU has assured us of its commitment to implement all pending tasks. The Minister has also agreed to provide JMEC members with the revised timeline and implementation schedule;
• We have received a detailed briefing on the current humanitarian situation and welcomed the efforts being made to improve access and bolster assistance;
• We have also received reports and updates from all the boards and commissions reporting to JMEC and now fully appreciate their challenges, tasks ahead and the need for our collective support, led by the TGoNU to ensure their full reconstitution and operationalization in the days, weeks and months ahead;

The following therefore, are in my opinion the major outcomes of this plenary;

• Reaffirmed our commitment that peace is the only way forward for South Sudan;
• Taken note of the efforts of the TGoNU to implement the ARCSS and its commitment to share a revised timeline and implementation schedules;
• Further, we have taken note of the TGoNU Humanitarian Action Plan and the establishment of the Oversight Committee to improve access and we acknowledge calls upon further assistance;
• We have welcomed the willingness and readiness of the international community, partners and friends of South Sudan to support the TGoNU if further progress is made in adherence to the Agreement;
• Observed that the current peace process is essentially functional but that it should be made more inclusive in accordance with the Agreement, and in particular the TGoNU might reach out with greater effort and maintain an open door to all parties who renounce violence, and are willing to re-join the peace process;
• Condemned all elements and groups fighting in different parts of the country or calling for armed resistance and called upon all the Parties and armed groups to cease hostilities and re-join the peace process;
• Encouraged the expeditious deployment of the Regional Protection Force (RPF) to guarantee a neutral, secure and stable environment, and welcomed the readiness of the TGoNU to provide a detailed briefing to the JMEC at the next plenary.

I thank you

STATEMENT

BY

H.E. FESTUS G. MOGAE

CHAIRPERSON OF JMEC

TO THE

THE JMEC PARTNER’S MEETING

ON THE STATUS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT ON THE RESOLUTION OF THE CONFLICT IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN

31 JULY 2016

KHARTOUM, SUDAN

Honorable Ibrahim Ghandour, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sudan; His Excellency Zhong Jianhua, the Chinese Special Envoy for African Affairs;

Your Excellencies; Special Envoys;  

And Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen; 

1. I thank you for continuing to convene this forum that supports the efforts of JMEC.  I very much welcome the opportunity to address you today.

2. In the past weeks I have conducted high level engagements and consultations with regional leaders and international partners, and, most importantly, the leaders of South Sudan.

3. We have endorsed the recommendations in the IGAD Plus Communiqué, and the AU Decisions adopted by the 27^th AU Summit in Kigali.  I addressed both bodies and conducted numerous bilateral consultations.  I will continue to support these decisions as the guideline for our way forward.

4. I have traveled back to Juba several times, and will continue to do so.  On the 25^th of July I met with H.E. Salva Kiir, General Taben Deng, and the Ambassadors representing JMEC member states.  I continue to engage leaders of both parties and signatories to the Peace Agreement.

5. I continue to urge the Parties to work within the framework of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.  This is critical especially now that there is an apparent division within the IO members.

6. Indeed, there are serious concerns that we all share:  Is there an end in sight to the recent hostilities in Juba and other parts of the country? Is the recent appointment and swearing in of a First Vice President’s replacement a legitimate IO position or a violation of the agreement?

7. What was this conflict all about, and what has changed since April 29^th? What happened between July 6^th to 11^th? What are we seeing now in Juba, and what does this all mean for JMEC and the peace agreement going forward? These are all questions that I know many of you would want to ask me, and how I wish I had answers to them.

8. I, just like all of you here understand that the peace agreement was not, and should not be about the two men: it is about bringing badly needed peace and stability to a young nation that is too familiar with war.

9. In other words, nobody but the leaders of South Sudan know what is going on, and their end game plan.  What we know is that the current relative calm can be deceptive.  We know that forces of both parties, and others allied to them continue to clash throughout the country, with a likelihood of larger battles increasing everyday.

10. While we don’t know the extent to which the SPLA-IO camp is in disarray, and who is in defacto control of the SPLA-IO now, what we know is that, it still retains the ability to conduct operations, and could threaten the relative calm of Juba, or revert to guerrilla warfare destabilizing different parts of the country.

11. We must therefore do everything, within the powers of the international community, and the regional guarantors to the ARCSS, to prevent a relapse into full-scale war and salvage the Agreement.

12. First, we must continue to engage Dr. Riek Machar, and understand the rules and regulations governing leadership changes within the SPLM-IO.

13. Second, security is the sine qua non of any peace agreement, and it is no different here.  The fighting must stop, or the suffering of the people will continue to increase.

14. Third, we must operationalize cantonment, and the eventual demobilization, disarmament and reintegration (DDR) of forces.

15. The economy continues its descent to complete failure.  Further deterioration of the security environment could lead to the cessation of oil production, which would eliminate the one viable source of income to the government.  Of course, it will be difficult, if not impossible, for the IMF to move forward with assistance in the current situation.  This too exacerbates what is a state on the cusp of economic collapse.

16. The humanitarian situation also continues to worsen, and the recent outbreak of cholera should be alarming to all.  Internally displaced persons and refugees continue to increase in numbers.  A return to normalcy seems as far away now as ever.

17. Finally, while the situation is dire, it is not without hope.  We encourage, and welcome good faith efforts by both parties to resume implementation of the agreement.  We urge all leaders to step back from the abyss of a second civil war.  I stress again: South Sudan is a nation of 12 million people, whose future we must safeguard.

18. The peace agreement, the Transitional Government of National Unity, are about the future of these millions, desperate for peace, afraid for their children, and increasingly living at one of the lowest levels of human security anywhere in the world.  This is not a legacy of which any leader can be proud.

19. I want to conclude my remarks with several recommendations, in addition to the ones I have already stated regarding security.

20. Going forward, I recommend that:

1. JMEC Partners condemn in the strongest terms the recent armed confrontation between the SPLA-IG and SPLA-IO and call for a full investigation and accountability for those who bear responsibility.

1. JMEC Partners urge the TGoNU of South Sudan to exercise its responsibility to protect its citizens from violence and ensure security for all.

III.        JMEC Partners call upon the parties to ensure the strict adherence by their respective forces to the Cessation of Hostilities and the Ceasefire and embark on full implementation of the Peace Agreement and its Transitional Security Arrangements.

1. JMEC Partners call for immediate cantonment of armed forces throughout the country in accordance with the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Workshop provisions.

1. JMEC Partners appeal to the International Community to take the necessary steps to address the dire humanitarian situation, and urge the TGoNU to ensure full, safe and unhindered access of humanitarian workers and timely delivery of humanitarian assistance to affected internally displaced persons (IDPs) and put in place measures to provide protection and non-interference with humanitarian equipment and supplies.

1. JMEC Partners endorse the deployment of an international protection force to guarantee the protection of civilians, the return of Dr. Machar to Juba, and the resumption of implementation of the Peace Agreement.

VII.        JMEC Partners condemn in the strongest possible terms the continuing obstruction of CTSAMM-MVTs by State agents from implementing their tasks and mandate, and call upon the TGoNU to issue the necessary orders to guarantee CTSAMM freedom of movement.

VIII.        JMEC Partners should remind the Parties to adhere to their commitment to the Peace Agreement, and reiterate that it provides the best opportunity for South Sudanese stakeholders to amicably settle their differences, promote reconciliation and build sustainable peace. 

Mr. Chairman;

21. Finally, I plead with the JMEC Partners to remain seized of the situation in South Sudan, and to take all necessary measures, to ensure full implementation and adherence, by the Parties to the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.

I thank you.

PRESS RELEASE

25 September 2017, Juba, South Sudan

JMEC to hold evaluation review workshop on the status of implementation of the ARCSS

South Sudan is yet to enjoy the peace dividends that the Agreement of the Resolution on the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS) was expected to deliver, the Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) has said.

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) has reiterated its call for a unified regional, continental and global approach towards the full implementation of the South Sudan Peace Agreement.

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) yesterday hosted a key Humanitarian Affairs discussion Forum at Crown Hotel in Juba.

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission in conjunction with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have held a two-day media workshop on the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ACRSS).

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) has welcomed the Communique following the 31st Extra-ordinary Summit of Heads of States of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the decision to convene a High-Level Revitalisation Forum of the Parties to the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic Of South Sudan (ARCSS), including estranged groups, to discuss concrete measures to restore a permanent ceasefire and achieve full implementation.

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) welcomes preparations being made by the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) to advance implementation of critical elements of Transitional Justice in South Sudan.

In its efforts to enhance inclusive participation of the constitutional amendment process, the National Constitution Amendments Committee (NCAC) continues to consult relevant ministries and experts on the security laws of South Sudan.

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission chairman H.E. Festus Mogae, yesterday called on the South Sudan government to ensure an unobstructed flow of humanitarian aid to rural areas of the country in an aim to maintain peace and security.

JMEC Chairman, H.E. Festus Mogae, opened the November JMEC Plenary, in Juba, with an appeal to the President of South Sudan saying, ”I appeal to the President of the Republic of South Sudan and the TGoNU to assume a higher profile and a more visible stance in propagating peace among all communities and citizens of South Sudan.”