July 10th, 2019(Nyamilepedia) — Save the Children has called on the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and its partners to press for full implementation of the revitalized peace agreements and ensure that the South Sudanese holdout groups are brought to the negotiating table.
“The Intergovernmental Authority on Development and its partners must continue to push for implementation of the revitalized peace agreement and engage hold-out groups to join the peace process in order to create the necessary conditions, mechanisms and environment for dialogue, in order to have permanent peace and stability in South Sudan” Said Rama Hansraj, the Country Director at Save The Children International South Sudan.
In a remark on Tuesday, the humanitarian agency’s Country Director Rama Hansraj, urged the parties to take preventive measures to protect the rights of children in the event of an unexpected delay in the implementation of the peace process.
“If the implementation is further delayed, all parties should take proactive measures to protect children and address any violations as per international and South Sudan law. We further call on warring parties to stop the fighting and protect the lives of South Sudanese children”.
Adding that, “While a revitalized peace agreement signed in September 2018 gave hope for millions of children and their families, these latest figures suggest the opposite has taken place. The latest food crisis and continued violence is a strong indication that the peace process needs greater national and international support. Although the UN acknowledges improved human rights situation in the country, a recent report from United Nations Mission to South Sudan reported at least ‘99 girls and women were subjected to rape and other forms of sexual violence”.
South Sudan’s population is still facing severe food shortages, with some 7 million people, or 61 percent of the population, suffering from severe food insecurity countrywide.
