CLOSING STATEMENT BY

H.E. AMBASSADOR BERHANU KEBEDE

CHIEF OF STAFF
OF THE
JOINT MONITORING & EVALUATION COMMISSION

AT THE
END OF PHASE II OF THE HIGH-LEVEL REVITALIZATION FOURM

Wednesday, 23MAY 2018 ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

H.E Chairperson, IGAD Council of Ministers
H.E Dr. Mousa Faki, Chairperson African Union Commission H.E Dr. Ismail Wais, IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, Your Excellencies,
Heads of Delegation,
Distinguished Participants
Ladies and Gentlemen, 

Your Excellency, 

1. On behalf of our JMEC Chairman His Excellency Festus Mogae it is my privilege to address you all on the final day of the Forum. 


2. I wish to take this opportunity to commend the IGAD Council of Ministers, for coming up with their concrete proposals aimed at bridging the gap between the parties, their continued leadership and tireless efforts pursuant to the revitalisation mandate. 


3. I wish also to commend H.E Dr. Ismail Wais, the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, for his resolute commitment towards a successful outcome of this process. 


4. I further commend the South Sudan Council of Churches for their determined efforts to bring all the parties closer to the realization of peace. 


5.Finally let me again thank the African Union, the United Nations, TROIKA, China, European Union, and all our interntional partners and friends of South Sudan for their unwavering support to the Forum and to the people of South Sudan. 

Excellencies, Distinguished Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen, 

6. Last week as we reconvened for this phase of the revitalization, the JMEC Chairman expressed his firm belief that you would be able to overcome all the outstanding issues, if you put the interest of the country first. While we may not have fully succeeded in acheiving our goal this time, I must continue to stress the need for compromise in the pursuit of lasting peace. 


7. It is time to end the suffering. You heard for yourselves the deep yearning for peace by all the people of South Sudan, which was so eloquently expressed in the voices of the representatives of the refugees. We cannot and should not turn a deaf ear to these ever widening cries and pleas for peace. 


8. Rather than continue on the destructive path of conflict, I urge you to invest your energy to make the best use of your resources for the good of all the people of South Sudan. To this end, you must reafirm your commitment, not only in word, but by concrete action to adhere to and fully observe the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. By so doing, you would have set the basis for, and provide the best guarantee to bring lasting peace to your beautiful country. 


9. In this regard, we welcome the signing of the addendum to the CoHA 2017 which fully operationalizes the CTSAMM Board, in an inclusive manner, and which will enhance monitoring and verification of compliance or lack thereof by all parties. 


Excellencies, Distinguished Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen, 

10. Make no mistake this past week will be remembered as one in which you all stood together with the support of the regional and international partners. However, many will be dissapointed that full agreement was not reached. Consequently, you have to continue working together in the best interest of your country. 


11.  You must therefore go the extra mile and reaffirm your commitment to this most noble of ideals the realization of lasting peace. Under these circumstances, the bridging proposals submitted by the IGAD Council provide the best opportunity to accommodate each other through compromise and realise your ultimate objective of sustainable peace. 


12.  Even as we leave this venue let us be reminded that this is a journey yet to be completed. Time is no longer on your side and therefore you must not grow weary in your pursuits. At this point in time nothing is more important to the citizens of South Sudan than the realization of a lasting and comprehensive peace. Therefore, through your actions in the days and weeks ahead give them the assurance that you will not relent until and unless peace becomes a reality. 


13. In closing, I must remind you that ending the conflict will bring with it opportunities to rebuild your shattered economy, return millions of refugees to their homes, hold free and fair elections, and set the foundation for growth and prosperity in which all citizens can participate fully. May God bless us all. Thank You.