“The revitalisation of the implementation of the peace Agreement is and remains our top priority. All our efforts, focus and energies should be dedicated to the successful conclusion of the revitalisation process,” he said.

“This country has missed so many opportunities to make durable peace and we should not allow the HLRF to be squandered. This is the time for all parties at the forum to put the interest of the country first and make compromises necessary to achieve resolution of all the outstanding issues,” H.E Mogae added.

He was speaking during a press conference in Juba on Monday.

“It cannot be business as usual here in Juba during this period of revitalisation. The status quo is not inclusive and cannot bring sustainable peace.”

“I want to appeal directly to the authorities here in Juba, and to all the opposition groups that you are all South Sudanese, and I urge you all to accommodate one another, to end this senseless violence.” 

H.E Mogae further said the Cesssation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA), as signed on December last year in Addis Ababa, “has not had the desired impact of halting the violence.”

He said the “parties continue to wage a campaign of defiance and commit human rights abuses with impunity.” 

“This is unacceptable and I call on IGAD to make  good its promise to hold spoliers accountable,” he said.

The political and security situation in South Sudan remains “uncertain”, said the Chairperson, with the humanitarian and economic situation remaining “dire”. 

“We risk further deterioration if urgent steps are not taken to end the conflict immediately. The country must embark on an inclusive peace process, as there can be no military solution to this conflict.”

The Chairperson called on the parties to refrain from acts of violence, cease hostilities, take steps to investigate and punish those responsible within their ranks.

Phase II of the HLRF is expected to reconvene in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia this week from May 17 to 21st.

“I commend all JMEC members, regional and international partners for your active support to JMEC and the revitalization process. I urge you all to remain engaged, to ensure that the current momentum is sustained and peace is restored.” 

According to the UN, the Chairperson said, seven million people in South Sudan need humanitarian assistance, food insecurity is widespread and it is estimated that 6.3 million people are severely food insecure

“So far this year, three aid workers have been killed and 23 aid workers detained. These impediments to humanitarian access are a violation of the COHA and the 2015 Peace Agreement.”