August 22nd 2018 (Nyamilepedia)Â – South Sudan’s Nuer community has welcomed the surprise resignation of the chairman of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), Festus Mogae.
Mogae in a statement seen by the Nyamilepedia this week said he would resign by September saying the peace monitoring body with the new revitalized peace agreement need fresh leadership.
In a statement extended to the Nyamilepedia on Monday, the Nuer Supreme Council (NSC) said it welcomed the decision by the former Botswana President to resign as the leader of the JMEC urging the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to accept Mogae’s resignation.
“In this regard, the Council welcomed H. E. Fetus Mogae’s decision to resign and we urged the Chairperson of IGAD, H. E. Prime Minister of Ethiopia Dr. Abiy Ahmed to accept this praiseworthy decision,” said the statement signed by James Nguen, the Chairman of the Council.
The statement further appreciated Mogae for being neutral from the beginning of implementation of the 2015 peace deal but criticised him for abandoning this attitude after the collapse of the peace deal in July 2016.
“Through IGAD’s heads of State and Government, Mr. Mogae was appointed as the chairperson of JMEC and whose mandate was and still is to monitor, support and report on the violations and non-implementations of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS).
In performing this mandate, the Council acknowledged that Mr. Mogae has tried his best by remaining neutral and impartial during the early stages of the implementation process of the Agreement but failed to adhere to this principle as required by the charter, especially when the ARCSS was violated in July 2016 by the regime in Juba,” partly said the statement.
The statement further stated that Mogae acted indifference despite being needed by the agreement saying such behavior contradicted his initial role.
“He acted indifference at a time when a great deal of integrity and impartiality are required. This behaviour seriously contradicts his role and mandate that he was tasked for,” the statement further said.
The statement further said since there is a new peace revitalization by the parties to the South Sudan conflict, the council said it endorses the resignation of the JMEC Chairman.
“Therefore, since, the warring parties in South Sudan have recommit to the revitalizing of the ACRSS after it has collapsed in 2017, the Council endorses Mr. Mogae’s decision to vacate his post. We believe such a commendable decision will boost confidence and ensure fresh start for all parties,” the statement said.Â
