Chairperson of IGAD Council of Ministers, Chairperson of the Africa Union Commission, IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, Honourable Ministers,

Your Excellencies, Distinguished Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen.

1. Good morning. I thank you for your kind invitation for JMEC to brief you here today. I convey the greetings and best wishes from H.E. Festus Mogae, Chairperson of JMEC, who sadly cannot be here with us in person. I am honoured to deliver this statement on his behalf.

2. I would like to begin by welcoming the renewal of the mandate of United Nation Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) by the UN Security Council. UN Security Council Resolution 2406 mandates support for the implementation of the peace agreement and the ongoing High Level Revitalization Forum. The full deployment and execution of the mandate of the Regional Protection Force (RPF) remains an important component of ensuring a conducive environment for the implementation of the peace agreement and for the process going forward.

Chairperson, Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

3. Two months ago JMEC addressed the Council and commended both you and Ambassador Ismail Wais, the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, together with the high level facilitators, for the successful conclusion of the first phase of the High-Level Revitalization Forum that culminated in a signed Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access in December 2017.

4. JMEC was all hopeful then that a cessation of hostilities would provide a peaceful environment within which all the Parties could constructively engage in the revitalization process, ensure the protection of civilians and facilitate unimpeded humanitarian access in the Republic of South Sudan for the duration of the Forum and thereafter. 

5. Unfortunately, the CoHA has been violated repeatedly since the parties signed on to it in December 2017. There must be consequences for non-compliance and JMEC urges IGAD to take concrete action against violators.

6. JMEC commends you for steering the second phase of the Forum conducted last month. JMEC has been briefed on the progress made, including agreement reached on specific articles of Chapters I and II of the 2015 Peace Agreement as well as on the divergent views on issues that the Parties are yet to reach agreement. The Special Envoy will no doubt be providing a comprehensive report on the conduct of and progress made. JMEC will continue to render its support to the Special Envoy in accordance with the terms mandated by IGAD.

7. The HLRF presents a lifeline that the parties must seize with seriousness in order to set South Sudan on a path for sustainable peace. JMEC has said before, and we repeat it now, that the revitalisation process provides the most effective platform upon which to confront and resolve the severe security, governance, economic and humanitarian crises that continue to overwhelm South Sudan.

Chairperson, Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

8. JMEC has no doubt that the parties can reach agreement on all outstanding issues, if only they put the interest of South Sudan first. All parties must appreciate that time is of the essence. The fighting must stop. The suffering of the displaced must be brought to an end. Refugees must return to their homes.

9. The mandate of the HLRF is wide enough and sufficient enough to accommodate any proposal deemed pertinent for full and inclusive implementation. There is no doubt that for the ARCSS to be fully inclusive and effectively revitalized and implemented, there must be serious adjustments in some areas and a restructuring of all its mechanisms taking into account past and present realities. 

10. Finally, JMEC recommends that, in terms of the way forward and securing a revitalised Agreement:

a. It is necessary for all Parties to a make a clear demonstration of commitment to peace and stop all forms of violence;

b. the status quo is not sustainable, and parties must explore concrete measures to revitalize the ARCSS, learn from experience and address current realities on the ground;

c. it is critical that IGAD, at its highest level, actively and collectively engages with the leadership of all parties and prevail upon those who pursue hardline positions to compromise and narrow the gaps between the various positions that currently exist.

d. Finally, the continued support of the region, international community and partners remains critical for success.

Thank you.