Addressing over 100 secondary school teachers at the opening of a two-day workshop on Thursday, JMEC Chief of Staff, Ambassador Berhanu Kebede said,

“Teachers in South Sudan play such an important role in every community in every country in the world and that most specifically includes South Sudan. Your critical role in supporting peace-building and shaping the next generation cannot be understated.”

“We recognize your role as vital agents of change, and we seek to involve you in our public information campaign so that you can effectively add your voice to the debate.”

The workshop themed “Enhancing Teachers’ Understanding and Role in Dissemination, Implementation and Monitoring of the Peace Agreement Process”, was organized by JMEC and Juba-based NGO, Crown the Woman.

It involved presentation on the contents of the Agreement on the Resolution of the conflict of South Sudan (ARCSS), the High Level Revitilization Forum (HLRF) and the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities (ACoH)

On the High Level Revitilization Forum, Ambassador Kebede said the Commission believes that a properly inclusive revitalization 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.

“As such it presents an opportunity, which, if all parties involved engage in the spirit of cooperation and compromise, can set South Sudan on a path towards sustainable peace,” he said.

Although a short delay has been announced by Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Ambassador Kebede, “we fully expect the third phase of the revitalisation forum to convene within the next few weeks and we hope that further progress will be made.”

“There can be no doubt that we have experienced set-backs in the implementation of the 2015 Peace Agreement, but we hope that, with greater knowledge and understanding, you will continue to engage positively in the Peace process.”