STATEMENT BY H.E. FESTUS G. MOGAE, CHAIRPERSON OF JMEC TO THE CHIEFS COUNCIL OF SOUTH SUDAN

28 November, 2016, JUBA

President of the Chiefs Council of South Sudan, Chief Deng Macham Anduei; Honourable Ministers; Honourable Elders and Chiefs; Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen;

I am grateful for the opportunity of this important interaction that we, as JMEC, are having with you the Traditional Leaders of South Sudan.

I want to thank you most sincerely for inviting me and my Commission to meet with you today. This is an opportunity I have been waiting for, to exchange views and share notes with you on the most effective means of pursuing the peace process.

Traditional leaders play a vital leadership role in their communities just as elected representatives play a role in a modern democratic setting. We can all agree that traditional leaders have historically been effective mediators and adjudicators in their communities by implementing positive traditional forms of peacemaking, conflict resolution and intervention on behalf of victims of injustice.

I have come to appreciate that some communities in South Sudan have been targeted and violated because of ethnic association. Invariably, therefore, there can be no doubt that traditional leaders and institutions should play a key role in facilitating the process by which hostilities can be brought to an end, which would in turn bring about peace.

My main message to you is that JMEC recognizes your pivotal role as agents of peace and reconciliation in the country. Your efforts, in this regard must be sustained and enhanced.

I appeal to you, as I have done to the rest of the leaders of this country – to go all out and preach peace and reconciliation; to extend a hand of friendship to all, including estranged members of the Opposition, offering assurances of safety.

Your voice in promoting peace in South Sudan, as traditional leaders and community elders, must continue to be heard across the communities and throughout the country.

I have emphasized the principle of inclusivity in the South Sudan peace process. Equally, I recognize your role, as traditional leaders, to be central, in this instance

The key message I have sought to articulate regarding inclusivity is that it is not and should not be about individuals. It is and should be about communities and all other parties that have a stake in the peace process. It includes other political parties, church organizations, women, civil society organizations and the youth.

What we need, at this stage, is achieving maximum awareness about the peace Agreement among the communities. This is why nationwide campaigns for peace and reconciliation are critical.

As JMEC, we would want to join hands with you, Honourable Elders and Chief, in this noble task of reaching out to the people of South Sudan to offer them hope for peace and prosperity.

In conclusion, I thank you once again for initiating this opportunity for interaction.

I hope that today’s meeting becomes the beginning of a purposeful journey we will embark on, jointly, in pursuit of peace in South Sudan.

I thank you.