BY FESTUS G. MOGAE
After almost three years, I leave South Sudan following one of the most challenging yet fulfilling periods of my career. I was honoured to accept the post of Chairman of the IGAD’s Joint Evaluation and Monitoring Committee (JMEC), because I saw an opportunity to make a contribution, however modest, to help South Sudan to end a senseless conflict and begin on the road to peace.
“Instead of buying guns, buy textbooks and turn swords into ploughshares.” This was the parting shot of former Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), H.E Festus Mogae to the Political leaders in the Republic of South Sudan.
The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) has on Monday welcomed the Order by the President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit issued on September 27, 2018 for the immediate release of all Prisoners of War (PoWs) and Political Detainees.
The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) has on Friday issued a status update on the implementation of the recently signed Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) for D-Day + 15, noting that some deadlines have been met while others have been missed.
The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) has appealed to the people of South Sudan to embrace working together for the good of the country and further stated that there are no beneficiaries to the conflict in South Sudan.
While addressing dignitaries and attendees at the celebrations for UN International Day of Peace at the Nyakuron Cultural center in Juba on Friday 21st September, the Ag. Deputy Chief of Staff- Strategy, Dr. Thomson Fontaine added that when the country suffers, everyone is affected.
“As we celebrate the International Day of Peace, may we all embrace the spirit of togetherness and agree that there are no beneficiaries to the conflict”.
In his remarks, which preceded remarks made by H.E the Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan; Dr Wani Igga, Dr Fontaine urged everyone present to be an ambassador of peace to everyone they meet. “Let us all be agents of peace for the benefit of all of us”, he said.
“When millions of people are living in refugee camps in neighboring countries, we are all affected. Conflict benefits none and erodes the good and hope in all of us”.
While speaking about the just concluded Peace talks, He stated that JMEC was confident that the compromises taken were in good faith and that the Parties will work together moving forward. “Full compliance to the agreement is very critical to build confidence and provide an enabling environment for the much needed focus on the growth of the economy among other things”, he added.
Dr Fontaine further reminded the parties that the world is watching with eagerness as to whether they will honor their commitment to the implementation of the peace agreement this time around. “The People of South Sudan are watching, the mothers and children who are tired of the suffering are watching, the young people without jobs and struggling to make a living are watching, everyone is watching!” he said.
“We must not let the gains of the last 15 months go to waste. We must ensure that we allow the children and youth in the country to enjoy the benefits of peace and prosper in the country, celebrating unity in diversity”, he added.
He further stated that JMEC for its part reiterates its commitment to fully discharge its mandate to vigorously monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement.
“It is our view that this is the last best chance for a comprehensive peace and the IGAD Council of Ministers should stand ready to deal conclusively with those who would attempt to once again derail the peace and drag the country back into conflict”, he concluded.
The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) has urged women in the country to put aside their differences, unite and push for their representation in the various levels of government and provisions in the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS)
Speaking during a women peace march held in Juba on Wednesday 19th September, the Ag. Deputy Chief of staff- Strategy, Dr. Thomson Fontaine said “You must devise ways of remaining engaged in ensuring that the Revitalized Agreement is implemented. The time to set aside differences that divide us and move forward together as one is now”.
The women peace march was organized by the Women Monthly Forum, the South Sudan Peace Commission, UNMISS and JMEC and brought together about 300 women from various women organizations in Juba. The special Advisor for gender in the office of the president Honorable Rachel Nyabak was the guest of honor.
In his remarks, Dr. Fontaine further commended the efforts by the Parties who in spite of their differences, have agreed to work together for the benefit of the country. “We urge the Parties to be true to their commitment and to heed the cries of the people who are in desperate need of peace and rebuilding their lives”, he added.
Furthermore, He also noted that the just-concluded High Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) process had been inclusive and that it had particularly ensured women were consulted in the pre-forum stages as well as given more opportunities for representation among the delegates to the talks.
“It is now time for all the women in the country, to unite and together push for their representation, participation and inclusion in the various levels of government, and in the decision making processes to ensure that not only are their voices heard, but also their contribution in the search for peace is being felt”, Dr. Fontaine said.
He reiterated that JMEC remains committed in not only discharging its mandate of monitoring the implementation of the Agreement, but also in promoting women participation in the peace process.
“We in JMEC know that encouraging women to be part of the peace process will significantly increase the chance of success in implementation and reduce the likelihood of returning to war”, he added.
“Let us then work together to realize this Peace dividend, which can ultimately translate to growth and development in the country”, he concluded.
As the world marks this year’s World Humanitarian Day, the Joint Monitoring & Evaluation Commission (JMEC) has called calls on all Parties to the conflict of South Sudan to protect humanitarian aid workers and asked parties to “ensure aid workers who diligently serve the society’s most vulnerable, are safe and protected.”
“Attacks on humanitarian aid workers are not only against the Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access (ACoH) as signed in December 2017,but are also against international humanitarian law,” JMEC said in a statement issued on Monday.
In the recent past, the Commission said, aid workers in South Sudan “have unfortunately been targeted, threatened, abducted, killed and aid access obstructed, in blatant violations of what the ACoH was intended to achieve.”
“JMEC reminds the Parties to the Agreement that they have a duty to ensure that aid workers in their midst are not targeted, their safety and security is guaranteed at all times, and that hindrance to access the vulnerable and displaced population, are cleared to facilitate safe humanitarian operations.”
A free and open media is vital to South Sudan’s democratic space, the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), has said.
Speaking during the official closing ceremony of a two-day media workshop in Juba on Friday, JMEC Deputy Chairperson Ambassador Augostino Njoroge said,
The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation (JMEC) has called on the South Sudan media to be part of the solution in the country’s quest for durable peace.
Speaking during a workshop that targeted members of South Sudan media, JMEC Chief of Staff, Ambassador Berhanu Kebede said,
The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) has lauded the latest signing of the outstanding issues on Governance between Parties, terming it as a ray of hope for the people of South Sudan.
The Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), H.E. Festus Mogae has on Wednesday held discussions with envoys in South Sudan.
H.E. Mogae briefed the Juba-based envoys from IGAD, African Union, Troika (the UK, US and Norway), UNMISS and the European Union (EU) on the ongoing revitalization process in Khartoum and what is stake going forward.
The briefing also included progress made by the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) towards the amendment of South Sudan constitution.
The chairperson had a separate meeting with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for South Sudan David Shearerand his deputy Moustapha Soumaré.
