June 12, 2017(Nyamilepedia) ——- The Chairman of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, Fetus Mogae, admits that South Sudan Peace Implementation is not going any where and therefore a High Level Revitalization Forum must be immediately convened to discuss how to restore the peace agreement.
Speaking today during the 31st Extraordinary Summit of IGAD Heads of states and governments, Mogae, said the new Forum will include all parties and stakeholders including the SPLM/A-IO mainstream Under Dr. Riek Machar Teny and other alienated groups.
The former Botswana president, Mogae, regrets that the IGAD Communique of August 5th, 2016, which endorsed reconstitution of TGNU to continue with peace implementation despite disagreements over exclusion of SPLM/A-IO mainstream and other parties, did not bring any progress saying:
“Following the IGAD Communique of August 5th, 2016, the reconstituted TGNU continued with the implementation of the peace agreement, in spite of consents over exclusion of estranged parties” Reads part of Mogae’s 10-paged statement.
President Mogae admits that it was not a good idea to exclude part of SPLM/A-IO but he said:
“as JMEC we had hoped the parties would quickly resolve their differences and return to full implementation of the peace agreement. This has not materialized and now the Parties seem even further apart” H said.
The Ex-president admits that President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his new friend, Gen. Taban Deng Gai, the new First Vice President, have very good working relationship but the real progress is lacking in all major sectors. Instead things are getting worst:
“While I commend the very good working relationship between H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit and H. E. General Taban Deng Gai, the First Vice President and their determination to cooperate; real progress is still lacking” Said Festus Mogae, the Chairman of JMEC.
“Today, we are confronted by increased hostilities among these parties, flgrant violation of the ceasefire, the emergence of new opposition and armed group. The rapidly deteriorating political, security, Humanitarian and Economic situation in the country has caused unprecendented displacement, famine and growing civilians flight” Mogae continued.
President Mogae mentioned about 8 minor progresses that have been made or are to be made in the next few months by the current TGNU; however, he regrets that they are being overshadowed or completely reversed by the aftermath of the July 2016 conflict. In other words the Peace Implementation cannot achieve its intended purpose at is currently.
“It is regrettable that the progress I have mentioned and good efforts of the TGNU continued to be overshadowed, and in some cases reversed by the ongoing hostilities.” Festus Mogae said.
JMEC RECOMMENDATION:
While calling on IGAD to act collectively and to speak in one voice, JMEC recommend the follow steps to help South Sudan achieve a lasting peace:
- Convene a High Level Revitalization Forum for the Parties to the Peace Agreement, including estranged[isolated/alienated] groups, to discuss the restoration of the Permanent Ceasefire, a return to inclusive implementation, a revised timeline and implementation schedule towards democratic elections at the end of the Transitional Period.
- Prior to this High Level Forum, invite other key opposition groups to participate without preconditions.
- Demand a clear and realistic timeline for the deployment of the Regional Protection Force to provide a neutral and secure environment for the implementation of the peace agreement.
- Convene a Joint Meeting of the Chiefs of Defence Forces of the Troops Contributing Countries(TCCs) and of the TGNU, and of the UN to discuss all outstanding issues and determine a definitive timeline for the full deployment of the RPF.
- Decide on specific actions to enforce compliance with the ceasefire to prevent impunity and derailing of the peace process.
- Calls on the International Community to assist South Sudan in its efforts to revive the economy once the parties return to the full implementation of the Peace Agreement.
- Calls on the International Community to mobilize the requisite resources to address the dire humanitarian situation currently unfolding in South Sudan.
- Calls on the TGNU and all parties to ensure unimpeded access to Humanitarian Agencies, and;
- All above, uphold the one voice message and align your actions in your collective pursuit of helping the people of South Sudan achieving a lasting peace.
