Speaking during a workshop organized by the Women Bloc of South Sudan and supported by JMEC and UN Women in Juba on Wednesday, Ambassador Kebede said,

“Keeping in line with South Sudan’s gender policies as well as regional and international standards on gender inclusion in peace processes, JMEC remains committed to promoting women’s participation in peace-building and conflict resolution processes and joins Women organizations across South Sudan in pressing for progress in this effort in our monitoring mandate.”

The three-day conference themed “Women together for Sustainable Peace” was aimed at creating awareness among representatives of women groups in the country on the first and second phase of the IGAD-led High Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) process. In addition to the presentations on the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities (ACoH), it also sought to engage the participants on the role that the women can play to effectively contribute to the peace process in the country.  

“Information about the content and procedures of the processes is key to enabling women’s effective participation,” he said.

Ambassador Kebede thanked the regional body, IGAD and its Special Envoy for South Sudan, Dr.Ismail Wais “for ensuring that women were consulted in the pre-forum stage of the HLRF process and for the increased number of accredited women and civil society delegates.”

During the first phase of the HLRF that opened in December last year, Amb. Kebede said, the parties committed themselves to end the fighting, after they signed the ceasefire Agreement.

“This was an important first step in laying the foundation for revitalization of the Peace Agreement,” he said.

“It is my hope, and that of JMEC’s that this workshop will not only equip you with the information you need but also help strengthen your role in contributing to the HLRF’s intended outcomes.”