Oct 8th, 2018(Nyamilepedia) — A joint United Nations-African Union(UN-AU) high-level delegation has planned to pay a field visit and monitor the implementation of the revitalized peace deal, which was signed last month, by the South Sudan warring parties in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa.
While paying special attention to women and children in violent conflict, the Africa Union’s Chairperson of the Africa Women’s Network on Mediation, Speciosa Wandira-Kazibwe encourages women to be actively engaged in conflict resolutions and peace building in the country, adding that the signing of the agreement by South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his former Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, who’s leading the main opposition group, raised a lot hope.
“What is happening in South Sudan gives us a lot of hope, and with hope, there is innovation, with hope there is rebirth.” she said
In her remarks, the African Union high-level diplomat, who’s also part of the joint AU-UN high-level delegation, challenged South Sudan leaders to demonstrate leadership competence by implementing the signed revitalized peace deal in good faith.
“The dream of silencing the guns in Africa is here, and it is up to us to take it – take the bull by the horns now, in South Sudan, to make sure that this region which has been dubbed the Great Lakes Region of conflict, becomes the Great Lakes Region of peace and prosperity,” she said.
The joint United Nations and Africa Union high-level mission to South Sudan are in the country on a 3-day visit and the sole aim of the mission is to support the engagement of South Sudan’s women in the peace process.
South Sudan women are sometimes sidelined by South Sudan warring parties, however, the signed revitalized agreement on the resolution of conflict in the Republic of South (R-ARCSS) Sudan has set aside a 35 percent quota of executive appointments for women representatives at all levels in the Government’s institutions and that is well pronounced in the peace agreement.
The mission will aid in ensuring that participation of women in the implementation of South Sudan’s peace accord is sustained.
“More specifically, the visit will focus on tangible actions and re-emphasize the significance of elevating, safeguarding and ensuring women’s meaningful participation and leadership in the implementation of the Agreement” the statement added
The delegations are expected to meet with key stakeholders including women living in the Protection of Civilian Camps in Bentiu.
“The delegation will meet with women leaders and organizations in Juba and Bentiu, including from the Protection of Civilian sites. They will also visit and meet with the leadership and personnel of the UN system. After the visit to South Sudan, they will travel to Addis Ababa and brief the African Union Peace and Security Council on 10 October 2018. Subsequently, a joint briefing to the UN Security Council will be provided later this month” the statement released by the Joint AU-UN said.
According to a statement extended to Nyamilepedia, the Joint United Nations-African Union high-level delegation will be meeting with high-level officials in the Transitional Government of National Unity in South Sudan under the current incumbent, Salva Kiir Mayar.
The mission will also enable the joint UN-AU diplomats to shore up the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan(R-ARCISS) and encourage the parties to the conflict in the country to respect the provisions and terms of the agreement.
“The joint visit will provide an opportunity for the delegation to commend the South Sudanese stakeholders for signing the peace agreement on 12 September 2018 and encourage them to faithfully implement it” said the UN and AU delegations.
