CLOSING REMARKS, JMEC DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON AMB. GEN. AUGOSTINO NJOROGE, DELIVERED AT THE CIVIL SOCIETY AT THE CIVIL SOCIETY ORIENTATION & ADVOCACY TRAINING TRAINING WORKSHOP ON THE ARCSS, PANORAMA HOTEL, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN, DECEMBER 8th 2017
December 08,2017

 

 

 

 

The Representative of the UNDP,

Representatives of the South Sudan Civil Society

Dear Participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Good afternoon!

Let me start by congratulating all of you participants for attending this three-day Civil Society advocacy training workshop on the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS). I have been briefed on the presentations and fruitful deliberations that you have had, since Wednesday when I opened the workshop.

You have covered a great deal on how best you can speak with one voice and advocate for your rights as the civil society of this country and also had discussions on the Evaluation Report recently produced by JMEC. In addition, I am also informed that the discussions you have had, on the implementation of the Agreement have enabled you to find out ways and opportunities in which you can best engage in a more inclusive and participatory way in the implementation of the Peace Agreement going forward.

I am now confident that you appreciate the modest progress that has been made, the huge challenges that we continue to face together, and reflected on what you as the civil society can do better to support the TGoNU, JMEC and all the other institutions and mechanisms of the Agreement, to deliver on their mandate.

As the Civil Society, you should always be the bridge in your society. You are that public space between the state, the market and the ordinary households in which people can constructively debate and tackle issues.

A vibrant and constructive civil society voice is therefore critical for the realisation of peace, promotion of good governance, democratisation and the rule of law in any country.

 

The ARCSS if implemented is a foundational stone upon which sustainable peace can be built in this country. For this to happen, the civil society must collectively and continuously;

advocate for the rights of the ordinary citizens, be a watch dog against violation of human rights, educate the population on their rights and responsibilities, hold the leaders accountable, agitate for peaceful resolution of conflicts and dialogue, mobilise the communities and various constituents to participate in governance and development processes, and

Above all, you should be the social capital and a force for good. The civil society must rally on a common goal, set better standards, and rise above all social, political and economic vices like tribalism, partisanship and corruption-to mention but a few.

Finally, let us all use the knowledge we have acquired during this workshop to build a strong, independent, vibrant civil society voice to persuade the parties to the Agreement to honour their commitments and fully implement the Peace Agreement.

With these few remarks, it is my pleasure to declare this civil society orientation and advocacy workshop closed.

Thank you very much and God Bless

 

 

OPENING REMARKS BY AMB. LT.GEN. AUGOSTINO NJOROGE JMEC DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON DURING THE CIVIL SOCIETY AND ADVOCACY WORKSHOP ON THE ARCSS DECEMBER 6th 2017
December 06,2017

The UNDP Representative,

Dear Participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Good morning!

Let me start by thanking the UNDP and the South Sudan Civil Society Alliance for partnering with JMEC in convening this very important orientation and advocacy training workshop, for Representatives of different stakeholders within the Civil Society in South Sudan.

JMEC is keen on encouraging a vibrant civil society voice and the involvement in the implementation of the ARCSS, as well as in shaping the future for this country going forward.

Despite the many challenges in the implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS), we in JMEC acknowledge the need to continue to promote inclusivity and popular ownership. I am informed that most of you present here today, are already actively contributing to the search for peace in this country in many ways. That is the spirit of a vibrant civil society with which you must all continue-even against enduring challenges.

In addition to the discussions on the Evaluation Report recently produced by JMEC, I am also informed that this three-days will give You an opportunity to find out ways in which you can engage in a more inclusive and participatory way in the implementation of the Peace Agreement. Notably, under the JMEC six thematic working Committees, where you can make substantial contributions through your representative to JMEC.

It is my hope that this workshop will contribute in empowering you to effectively participate, advocate and strategically engage all the parties and other stakeholders to ensure its full implementation, and ultimately the realisation of enduring peace, stability and democracy in the Republic of South Sudan.

With these few remarks, I declare this Civil Society Orientation and advocacy training workshop open.

Thank you very much.

 

STATEMENT BY AMBASSADOR Lt. GENERAL AUGOSTINO S.K. NJOROGE (Rtd) DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF JMEC, DURING INTER-STATES GOVERNOR STRATEGIC PEACE INTERVENTION CONFERENCE YAMBIO, NOVEMBER 27 TO 30, 2017
November 28,2017

Your Grace, The Right Reverend Barani Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio,

Honourable Anthony Lino Makana, Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly,

Honourable Minister Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro, Minister for Cabinet Affairs,

Honourable Tor Deng Mawien, Presidential Advisor

Honorable David Shearer, SRSG-United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS),

Excellencies, Governors, Distinguished guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.

 

I am very pleased to be here this morning. I convey to you greetings and best wishes from the Chairperson of Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), H.E. Festus Mogae, former president of the Republic of Botswana, who has sent me to represent him.

The theme of your conference “PEACE WITHIN AND ACROSS BORDERS” demonstrates your collective desire for peace for your country. This theme resonates with our mission at JMEC and we join you, the Interfaith Council for Peace Initiative as you seek to promote peace, reconciliation and development in South Sudan.

Indeed, there is a lot of faith placed in the Church to lead the way in seeking solutions to inter-ethnic and other conflicts, as well as in the promotion of tolerance and reconciliation. We salute you for leading the way in inter-communal dialogue as you build bridges across your state borders towards peace and social harmony and economic development for all South Sudanese communities.

We are all painfully aware how continued fighting has worsened the economic and humanitarian situation. The number of people in need of humanitarian assistance is now higher than when the Peace Agreement was signed in August 2015 - a fact which the Inter-Faith Council for Peace Initiative seeks to address.

South Sudan is wonderfully endowed with natural resources, good arable land and hardworking people. I have no doubt that as the prized ‘last born’ of Africa and the World, and if you keep on the path that is proposed by this inter-faith initiative, you will rise from the current challenges and take your favoured place amongst the nations.

As you know, JMEC is the institution charged with overseeing and monitoring the implementation of the Peace Agreement. The Faith Community is represented in JMEC along with other key South Sudanese stakeholders. We acknowledge the important role the inter-faith community plays in the promotion of peaceful resolution of conflicts and we are grateful for your continued engagement with JMEC.

Since the signing of the Peace Agreement, implementation of its provisions has not lived up to the expectations of citizens or the regional and international partners that support the process.

In an attempt to address this, IGAD has engaged in consultations with key Parties and South Sudanese stakeholders in preparation for a High Level Revitalization Forum intended to reach agreement on steps to reinvigorate implementation of the Peace Agreement.

We must all do better in correcting the mistakes of the past and ensuring that the path to peace is firmly grounded on values of peace, justice and reconciliation. We must all work together to achieve the ultimate goal of sustainable peace in South Sudan. All of us - Faith, Political and Traditional Leaders, Women, Youth and civil society representatives - gathered here today are the critical actors that will ensure this outcome.

Finally, let me wish you fruitful deliberations, and once again thank you for your invitation to JMEC to participate in this most timely and important conference. God bless you.

OPENING REMARKS H.E. FESTUS G. MOGAE Chairperson of JMEC at the Women Parliamentary Caucus (WPC) Workshop, Royal Palace Hotel Juba, 29 September 2017
September 29,2017

Honourable Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly Honourable Dusman James, Chairperson of the Women Parliamentary Caucus, Honourable Members of Parliament

 

Ladies and Gentlemen

  • It gives me great pleasure to make a few remarks at the opening session of this workshop. The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) is pleased to partner with, and support the South Sudan Women Parliamentary Caucus in convening this workshop.
  • Theworkshopisbothtimelyandimportant.Weareatacrossroadsintheimplementationofthe peace agreement. As you are no doubt aware, we are currently engaged in a process to ‘revitalise and reinvigorate’ the peace agreement. There is a clear need to strengthen our collective approaches and strategies for sustainable peace. You, Honourable members of parliament gathered here constitute critical part of that effort. You must not let this window of opportunity close. Seize this opportunity.
  • I recognise, and have stated many times that there is also an urgent need to increase women’s participation in the peace process broadly and in the implementation of the peace agreement. I urge you to hold the parties to the peace agreement accountable to the commitments in the peace agreement on gender equality and quotas as pertains to women’s participation and engagement in ARCSS institutions and processes. You as Members of Parliament have a voice that you can deploy to advance gender equality.

 

Honourable Members of Parliament,

  • Let me state at the outset, that I am a firm believer in the ability and power that women have to make real contributions to sustainable peace in any country. It now widely acknowledged that women are real agents of peaceful transformation in communities the world over. South Sudanese women are no exception.
  • I am informed that you have recently completed statewide consultations and have made recommendations about how best to include ordinary citizens in participating in monitoring implementation of the peace agreement. The peace agreement concerns all citizens of South Sudan and they must have ownership over it. You, as the peoples’ representatives and are best placed to make this a reality. I look forward to receiving your recommendations on this.
  • This workshop presents an opportunity for JMEC to share information with you on the status of implementation and discuss the vital role that you, as members of parliament can play in advancing the process of implementation. I welcome your contribution and cooperation in this process.
  • I wish you successful deliberations and now have the pleasure to declare this workshop officially open.

 

Thank you

 

 

 

Opening Remarks by H.E. Festus G. Mogae, Chairman of JMEC Delivered at the ARCSS Implementation Status Review Workshop 25th September 2017
September 25,2017

Honorable Ministers,

Excellencies,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen;

  1. I welcome you all this morning to this very important and timely JMEC Evaluation Review Workshop on the status of implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.
  2. This is a moment of great significance within JMEC’s monitoring and evaluation mandate. For the last twenty two months since November 2015 we have together faithfully executed our mandate as an oversight body.
  3. We have had very frank, honest and sometimes emotive conversations in our nineteen Plenary meetings to date. Together we have urged the Parties to adhere to the Peace Agreement, including the agreed tasks, timelines and implementation schedules.
  4. On numerous occassions we confronted, without fear or favour, the violations that unfortunately have characterised the life-span of this Peace Agreement and equally, where there has been progress we have commended the Parties responsible.
  1. More importantly, we have stood by the people of South Sudan, highlighted their plight and provided a forum for all Agreement stakeholders to engage the Parties and appeal for the immediate restoration of peace.
  2. Pursuant to Chapter VII of the Peace Agreement, we have dutifully reported as JMEC to the TGoNU, IGAD, African Union and United Nations on the status of implementation of the Peace Agreement, pointing out any progress or lack thereof, and with very practical recommendations for their consideration.
  3. We have submitted special reports to the IGAD leadership on key incidents and specific issues that have impacted on the implementation of the Peace Agreement, and engaged proactively with the Parties, South Sudanese stakeholders, regional and International Partners and Friends of South Sudan.
  4. Regrettably, the citizens of this country are yet to enjoy the peace dividend that the implementation of the Peace Agreement was expected to deliver.
  5. The renewed conflict since July 2016 has not only impeded progress in the implementation of the Peace Agreement but also reversed many of the gains that had been initially made.
  1. Conflict escalated, Parties fractured, new groups emerged, and civilians continued to be displaced and endure threat of food insecurity amidst a dire economic situation.
  2. It is in this context, therefore, that IGAD following our recommendation decided to initiate a process for the revitalisation of the Peace Agreement.

Honourable Ministers, Excellencies, distinguished ladies and gentlemen;

  1. As you are aware, early this year in March 2017 we took a deliberate step of enhancing our oversight role with the formation of six JMEC Working Committees. Their tasks are to continuously review and assess progress towards the implementation of the Peace Agreement, evaluate, support and recommend remedial actions to be undertaken.
  2. The Working Committees have held a combined total of 38 meetings to date, engaged bi-laterally with the TGoNU and other stakeholders, and invited briefings from key Agreement Institutions and Implementation mechanisms.
  3. The Committees have prepared their evaluation reports and today we shall together consider and reflect on their findings. These findings will form a basis for JMEC’s report to IGAD on the status of implementation of the Peace Agreement which is instrumental to the success of the revitalisation process.
  1. I hope that the Committees’ assessment shall enable the Parties, the region and all South Sudanese stakeholders to pursue the revitalisation process from an informed point of view, and encourage them to take concrete steps to revitalise the implementation of the Peace Agreement without further delays.
  2. I commend all the Chairpersons of the Working Committees, their members and observers for the dedication, commitment and diligence they have maintained in evaluating the progress, or lack thereof, in the implementation of the Peace Agreement. I also commend the TGoNU for its cooperation and participation in the Working Committee meetings. I urge the Committees to continue their good work.
  3. From the briefings I have received, I have full confidence in the approaches that were adopted, and now invite you all to listen to their presentations and constructively engage in the spirit of finding lasting solutions to the conflict in South Sudan.

    I thank you.

 
Concluding Remarks by H.E. Festus G. Mogae, Chairman of JMEC During The 18th Plenary Meeting of 12th July 2017
July 12,2017

Honorable Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

  1. I thank you for the deliberations we have had today. I take note that we started a little bit late today, and therefore urge all members to endeavour to keep time in future meetings.
  2. Let me also thank Hon. Minister Martin Elia Lomuro, the TGoNUrepresentative, H.E David Shearer - the UN Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG), and Chairpersons of the various boards and commissions who provided updates and briefings today.
  3. We take note of the TGoNU’s reported efforts to alleviate the humanitarian conditions in the country, their response to the AU Assembly pronouncement on South Sudan, and welcome the commitment of the AU to compliment the peace efforts in this country.
  4. We commend the TGoNU for its update on progress made in the National Dialogue initiative, and its stated commitment to the Agreement revitalisation process. We urge all Parties and estranged groups to seize this opportunity, engage honestly and return to implementation of the Peace Agreement.

5. We further commend the representative of the Women Bloc, madam

Amer Deng Yak for once again restating the importance of including the voices and interests of Women in all our mechanisms and processes. As a father of three girls, with one granddaughter, I align myself fully with women’s inclusion, engagement and participation, if we are to restore and sustain peace in this country.

Excellencies, Honorable Ministers, Ladies and Gentlemen; 6. In summary, we have;

  1. i)  Welcomed the IGAD Heads of State and Government decision to take steps to revitalise implementation of the Peace Agreement. In this regard, we congratulate H.E Ambassador Ismail Wais, the IGAD Special Envoy, welcome him to Juba today and pledge our full support to his mission to make this revitalisation process successful;
  2. ii)  Reiterated our call to all Parties, armed and estranged groups to cease hostilities, take advantage of the Revitalisation process, and make concrete proposals to achieve its objectives;
  3. iii)  received a briefing from the TGoNU and the UNMISS on the current humanitarian situation in the country, noted the steps being taken to address the crisis, the recurring challenges, gaps and note that more efforts is still needed to address this crisis;
  1. iv)  received reports from the CTSAMM, NCAC, JMCC, SDSR Board and take note of the modest progress that have been made. We urge all Agreement boards and commissions to take stock of implementation, and to make concrete proposals for the revitalisation process;
  2. v)  commended all the Chairpersons and members of the JMEC Working Committees and urged all Working Committees to prepare evaluation reports towards the revitalisation process; and
  3. vi)  we commended the TGoNU for welcoming the decision of the IGAD Heads of State and Government to revitalise implementation of the Peace Agreement;

7. Finally, join me in wishing our Lord Bishop, Rev. Enock Tombe, a very Happy Birthday on this very important day of his life. May God give him a long life to continue with his important and tireless work for peace in South Sudan.

I thank you

Statement by H.E. Festus G. Mogae, Chairman of JMEC, to the International Institute for Research and Development Peace Building Forum on 29th November 2016
November 29,2016

STATEMENT BY H.E. FESTUS G. MOGAE, CHAIRPERSON OF JMEC, TO THE INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PEACE BUILDING FORUM

H.E. James Wani Igga, The Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan; Honorable Ministers; Honorable Ambassadors; Professor Nega Abraham, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen;

I want to commend the conveners of this workshop for bringing together H.E., the Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, key Ministers, international partners and international academics to discuss the impact of peace on economic progress.

The theme of this workshop is what the comprehensive peace agreement is all about—building institutions for sustainable security in the country as well as building institutions for effective management of the economy and public finances.

South Sudan is in the throes of a deep economic crisis, the roots of which lie in a protracted war and previously poor fiscal and economic management. The economic situation interacts directly with the security situation. Security is a pre-requisite for a stable economy which in turn is a prerequisite for peace, development and prosperity. For any economic progress to occur, the security situation must be stabilized.

I will make my remarks here brief, but hope they will be taken up for discussion in the course of today’s workshop. There are three issues that need to be addressed in restarting the economic development in this country.

The first issue is: stabilizing the rural economy. Agriculture is undeniably the livelihood for most of the people of South Sudan. High levels of food insecurity now prevail due to low agricultural production as people continue to abandon the rural areas to flee violence. The violence and the economic crisis has created a downward spiral which needs to be arrested and reversed. The most immediate task the government must do is to ensure an uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid to the rural populace to sustain them in the rural areas. This will bring peace to the countryside which will stabilize the rural economy. International experience shows that for virtually all countries, economic growth was built on a productive agricultural sector.

The second issue is: putting public finances in order. Without prudent public financial management there cannot be economic progress. Recent budgets including the draft budget for 2016/17 have been worrisome: they involve large deficits; inflationary financing; and, expenditures for social services well below expectations and need. Financial mismanagement disrupts the economy and along with continued widespread violence, drives international partners away from providing the development assistance so gravely needed. International experience clearly shows that countries develop only if government finances are sustainable. The government of South Sudan must live within its means.

The third issue is: a sustainable strategy of development. Once the rural economy is stabilized and government finances are in order, South Sudan can embark on a strategy of sustainable development. This strategy should diversify the economy so to reduce reliance on oil and build on a productive agriculture sector complemented by light industry. To jumpstart this path of sustainable development will require international assistance and regional cooperation.

To conclude, fully implementing the peace agreement is essential to restarting economic growth in South Sudan. I therefore urge the TGoNU to fullfil its commitment to the agreement.

I thank you and hope that this workshop will have time to discuss the three issues I have raised.

Statement by H.E. Festus G. Mogae, Chairman of JMEC to the Chiefs Council of South Sudan on 27th November 2016
November 27,2016

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.

JMEC Chair's Statement to the JMEC Partner Meeting
July 31,2016

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.
  1. 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.
  1. We have endorsed the recommendations in the IGAD Plus Communiqué, and the AU Decisions adopted by the 27th 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.
  1. I have traveled back to Juba several times, and will continue to do so.  On the 25th 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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?
  1. What was this conflict all about, and what has changed since April 29th? What happened between July 6th to 11th? 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. First, we must continue to engage Dr. Riek Machar, and understand the rules and regulations governing leadership changes within the SPLM-IO.
  1. 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.
  1. Third, we must operationalize cantonment, and the eventual demobilization, disarmament and reintegration (DDR) of forces.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. 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.
  1. I want to conclude my remarks with several recommendations, in addition to the ones I have already stated regarding security.
  1. 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;

  1. 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.

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