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.

Communication Office

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Tuesday, August 7, 2018, Juba, South Sudan

JMEC lauds the signing of the outstanding issues on Governance as part of the revitalization of the ARCSS.

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) welcomes the signing of the outstanding issues on Governance between Parties to the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, which took place in Khartoum on Sunday 5th August 2018. 

This most-recent signing strengthens efforts to revitalize the 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS), and is expected to lead to the achievement of an inclusive, comprehensive peace, restore security, stability and promote national reconciliation in the Republic of South Sudan.

Further, the Commission urges the Parties to commit to an honest and effective implementation of the revitalized Agreement going forward. Undoubtedly, the signing comes as a ray of hope for the people of South Sudan who have witnessed the devastation of war for far too long.

Following the signing, the Commission reminds the Parties of the need to work together in good faith as efforts continue to finalise the revitalization of the remaining chapters ARCSS with consequential amendments.

JMEC looks forward to working with all Parties to ensure the full implementation of the revitalized ARCSS. 

The Commission further lauds the leadership of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN), the International Community and all partners for their sustained efforts to ensure a lasting peace is achieved in the country.

ENDS

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.

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) has expressed outrage and condemns the attack on humanitarian workers and the destruction of facilities and equipment at the Maban camp, in Northern Upper Nile.

In a Press statement issued on Wednesday JMEC said, 

“Attacks on aid workers who diligently offer their services to alleviate the suffering of people of South Sudan, are deeply regrettable and indeed a violation of the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access signed in December 2017.”

“Unfortunately, this is one of the many other attacks that targeted aid workers in the country in the recent past, including killings of personnel.

JMEC calls on the authorities to carry out an independent investigation into the attack and to hold those responsible to account,” it added.

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Wednesday, July 25, 2018, Juba, South Sudan

JMEC condemns attack on aid workers in Maban Camp

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) expresses its outrage and strongly condemns the attack on humanitarian workers and the destruction of facilities and equipment at the Maban camp, in Northern Upper Nile.

Attacks on aid workers who diligently offer their services to alleviate the suffering of people of South Sudan, are deeply regrettable and indeed a violation of the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access signed in December 2017.

Unfortunately, this is one of the many other attacks that targeted aid workers in the country in the recent past, including killings of personnel. 

JMEC calls on the authorities to carry out an independent investigation into the attack and to hold those responsible to account. 

ENDS

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) wants a “high level consultative mechanism” formed to periodically review the implementation of the Peace Agreement and take “time and decisive” actions against spoilers and violators. 

Representatives of Civil Society have presented their amendment proposals to the National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) on South Sudan’s National Elections Act, 2012. 

The proposals were developed following a stakeholder’s workshop on the Political Parties Act, 2012 and the National Elections Act, 2012. 

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation has on Thursday called on the South Sudanese warring parties to embrace the spirit of compromise at the revitalization forum and end the “senseless killings” in the country.

“The achievement of peace in South Sudan is a collective process. You must all make the decision that the conflict, and especially the senseless killings need to stop and say enough is enough,” JMEC Deputy Chairperson Ambassador Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge said.

“It is critical for allparties to fully abide by the Agreements they have signed to date, including the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access of December 2017 (ACoH) and particularly refrain from all acts of violence,” he added.

Speaking in Juba on Thursday during the closing ceremony of a four-day workshop, Ambassador Njoroge said even though steps that have been taken towards the Peace Agreement revitalization process is “encouraging”, the Parties should endeavor to resolve outstanding issues.

“So much ground has been covered since the Revitalization process begun. This is indeed encouraging. JMEC continues to urge the Parties in the conflict to embrace the spirit of compromise and to resolve all the outstanding issues,” he said.

The workshop themed “Peace in Time: Creating awareness for the Youth on the South Sudan Peace Process” brought together 200 students from the Youth Peacemaker Network at the Juba-based Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI). 

The workshop provided training on the 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, the 2017 Cessation of Hostilities (ACoH) and the High-Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF).

Ambassador Njoroge said the youth of South Sudan, “should be the social capital, the vanguard and a force for good.”

“The youth in this country must rally around a common goal, set better standards, educate the population on their rights and responsibilities and continue to agitate for a peaceful resolution of the conflict that has continued for far too long,” he said.

“Remember however that, all wars must end in peace. Let all of you as South Sudanese find in your hearts a place to forgive each other, accommodate one another and rekindle the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood and take another historic step to rebuild your motherland. As the youth, the future belongs to you more than any other social group.” 

Dear Participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Good afternoon!

Let me start by congratulating all the participants who attended this very important orientation workshop on the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS), the High Level Revitalisation Forum (HLRF), and the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access (ACoH). I have been fully briefed on the presentations and the fruitful deliberations that you have had as well as the interactive sessions.  

I am also informed that the discussions you held have enabled you to know ways and opportunities in which you can now engage in the South Sudan Peace process going forward, in a more inclusive and participatory way.

 So much ground has been covered since the Revitalization process begun. This is indeed encouraging. JMEC continues to urge the Parties in the conflict to embrace the spirit of compromise and to resolve all the outstanding issues. It is critical for allparties to fully abide by the Agreements they have signed to date, including to the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access of December 2017 (ACoH) and particularly refrain from all acts of violence. 

Above all, you the young people, should be the social capital, the vanguard and a force for good. The Youth in this country must rally around a common goal, set better standards, educate the population on their rights and responsibilities and continue to agitate for a peaceful resolution of the conflict that has continued for far too long.  

The achievement of peace in South Sudan is a collective process. We must all make the decision that the conflict, and especially the senseless killings need to stop and say Enough is enough. 

Remember however that, all wars must end in peace. Let all of you as South Sudanese all find in your hearts a place to forgive each other, accommodate one another and rekindle the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood and take another historic step to rebuild your mother land. As the youth, the future belongs to you more than any other social group. Now that you are more educated on what is at stake, you have been empowered to participate in bringing peace to your country South Sudan in a more informed way and I therefore wish you good luck.

With these few remarks, I declare this orientation workshop closed.

Thank you very much and May God Bless you. 

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Thursday, July 19, 2018, Juba, South Sudan

Enough is enough; end the senseless killings, JMEC tells warring Parties 

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation has on Thursday called on the South Sudanese warring parties to embrace the spirit of compromise at the revitalization forum and end the “senseless killings” in the country.

“The achievement of peace in South Sudan is a collective process. You must all make the decision that the conflict, and especially the senseless killings need to stop and say enough is enough,” JMEC Deputy Chairperson Ambassador Lt. Gen. Augostino Njoroge said.

“It is critical for allparties to fully abide by the Agreements they have signed to date, including the Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access of December 2017 (ACoH) and particularly refrain from all acts of violence,” he added.

Speaking in Juba on Thursday during the closing ceremony of a four-day workshop, Ambassador Njoroge said even though steps that have been taken towards the Peace Agreement revitalization process is “encouraging”, the Parties should endeavor to resolve outstanding issues.

“So much ground has been covered since the Revitalization process begun. This is indeed encouraging. JMEC continues to urge the Parties in the conflict to embrace the spirit of compromise and to resolve all the outstanding issues,” he said.

The workshop themed “Peace in Time: Creating awareness for the Youth on the South Sudan Peace Process” brought together 200 students from the Youth Peacemaker Network at the Juba-based Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI). 

The workshop provided training on the 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, the 2017 Cessation of Hostilities (ACoH) and the High-Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF).

Ambassador Njoroge said the youth of South Sudan, “should be the social capital, the vanguard and a force for good.”

“The youth in this country must rally around a common goal, set better standards, educate the population on their rights and responsibilities and continue to agitate for a peaceful resolution of the conflict that has continued for far too long,” he said.

“Remember however that, all wars must end in peace. Let all of you as South Sudanese find in your hearts a place to forgive each other, accommodate one another and rekindle the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood and take another historic step to rebuild your motherland. As the youth, the future belongs to you more than any other social group.” 

ENDS