He was speaking during the opening of a Civil Society Advocacy Workshop on the ARCSS in Juba, on Wednesday. The participants were drawn from representatives of different Civil Society Organisations in Juba.

The three-day workshop focuses on how to collect data for research and use it for advocacy initiatives, and the status of the implementation of the ARCSS. The workshop is about equipping the participants with the knowledge and skills on how to strategize better engagement within the revitalised ARCSS processes in 2018.

Noting the many challenges in the implementation of the ARCSS, Ambassador Njoroge acknowledged the need to continue to promote inclusive participation and its popular ownership among all South Sudanese.

He added that members of the civil society are already actively engaged in the search for sustainable peace in the country and emphasized “That is the spirit of a vibrant civil society with which you must all continue, even against enduring challenges.”

During the workshop, JMEC’s recently released Evaluation Report will be discussed and alongside ways to engage in a more inclusive and participatory manner in the implementation of the Peace Agreement.

“It is my hope that this (the workshop) will contribute in empowering you to participate effectively, 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.”

The workshop was organised in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).