PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

Friday, Feb 2nd, 2018, Juba, South Sudan

For accurate, effective reporting, enhance your understanding of ACoH, JMEC urges South Sudan media

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) Deputy Chairperson Lt. Gen. Amb. Augostino Njoroge has called on the South Sudan media to enhance their understanding of the recently signed Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities (ACoH), for effective and informed reporting.

He was speaking during the closing of a two-day workshop on Friday, themed “Enhancing the Implementation of Cessation of Hostilities Agreement through effective media engagement, for the media in South Sudan” on Friday in the capital Juba.  

The workshop targeting journalists in the country, was organized by JMEC, UNDP, UNESCO, Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), and Association of Media Development in South Sudan (AMDISS)

Amb. Njoroge termed the workshop as “both timely and of great importance” as it presents an opportunity to all the participants to understand the recently signed ACoH.

“As the media, you should ask questions in order to be well-informed, analyse the stories that you publish and be the bridge that ensures that you not only be a watchdog, but also educate the population on their rights and responsibilities as citizens of this country. You must help in reforming, reshaping, educating and strengthening the society to understand what is at stake,” he said.

“In addition, you should continuously agitate for a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the country. You must rise above all tribal, social, political and economic vices and work together to ensure that you hold the leaders accountable. This way, working together, we believe we will promote peace and good governance in this country.”

During the workshop, attended by about 50 media representatives, the attendees were also updated on the High Level Revitalization Forum on the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS), whose first phase was held in the Ethiopian Capital, Addis Ababa in December last year.

“The first phase of the Forum saw fourteen South Sudanese parties and other key stakeholders come together to discuss the challenges that face South Sudan after eighteen months of implementation of the signed Agreement,” he said.

“We, in JMEC remain hopeful that the next phase of the IGAD-led revitalization process will provide us with an effective platform that will help resolve the insecurity, governance, economic and humanitarian crises that continue to overwhelm South Sudan.”

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) Deputy Chairperson, Amb. Lt. General Augostino Njoroge has called on the business community in South Sudan to take on their critical role of being key drivers in the growth of the economy and in the quest for peace in the country.

PRESS RELEASE


(For Immediate Publication)

27th January 2018, Juba, South Sudan 

JMEC: PRIVATE SECTOR GROWTH CRITICAL TO THE ECONOMY IN SOUTH SUDAN

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) Deputy Chairperson, Amb. Lt. General Augostino Njoroge has called on the business community in South Sudan to take on their critical role of being key drivers in the growth of the economy and in the quest for peace in the country.

General Njoroge was speaking at the closing ceremony of a two-day workshop on the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS) organized by JMEC and the National Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture in Juba on Wednesday.  

“I cannot over-emphasize the critical role that the business community have played and continues to play in driving sustained growth within South Sudan”.

He added, “As the country emerges from conflict, you will find yourselves being called upon to improve and widen that role as you create job opportunities, broaden trade, and contribute to the overall economic well being of the population”.

The two-day workshop that had 80 participants drawn from different businesses and companies in Juba, was a presentation of the various Chapters of the ARCSS.

Applauding the initiative, General Njoroge noted that the discussions held over the two days would enable the participants to find out ways and opportunities in which they can engage in a more inclusive and participatory way in the implementation of the Peace Agreement going forward.

“I am confident that you appreciate the modest progress that has been made, the huge challenges that we continue to face together, and what you as representatives of the business community can do better to support the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU), JMEC, and all other institutions and mechanisms to deliver on their mandate”.

He further encouraged the participants to view their roles as not simply to generate economic activities within the country but also to help in sensitizing the people on the dire need for peace and good governance.

“It is my hope that you will use the knowledge you have acquired during this workshop to build a strong, independent, business sector that will be a strong voice in persuading the parties to the Agreement to honor their commitments and fully implement the Peace Agreement”.  

PRESS RELEASE


(For Immediate Publication)

27th January 2018, Juba, South Sudan

The Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) H.E. Festus Mogae has on Saturday asked the IGAD regional states to maintain a unified approach, demonstrate One Voice, challenge those who peddle self-interest” towards the implementation of the South Sudan pact.

Addressing the IGAD Council of Ministers in Addis Ababa, H.E. Moage said expressed confidence that, 2018 will be “full of expectation” for South Sudan.

He however said, the ultimate responsibility for the direction that the country takes lies with the Government and the parties, but “IGAD, supported by the wider international community, has a critical role to play.”

“It is essential that IGAD remains engaged, committed and focused throughout the revitalisation process, so that the reinforcing and reassuring support of the African Union and the United Nations can be brought to ear effectively and efficiently,” he said.

“Together, we have to help the South Sudanese leaders find and sustain the spirit of compromise and engagement that will deliver long term peace and stability.”

The Chairperson added the IGAD Revitalisation Forum “is a watershed and offers an opportunity that should not be wasted or squandered”.

“I appeal to IGAD to be resolute, without fear or favour, in their determination to ensure its success,” he said.

The Chairperson reiterated his call for “clear consequences” against those who violate the Ceasefire Agreement signed in December last year, between South Sudan warring parties.

“For the revitalization process to be successful there must be a clear understanding among all South Sudanese leaders of the consequences of non-compliance and the determination of IGAD to ensure that agreements are complied with,” he said.

The second phase of the Revitalization Forum is expected to commence on February 5.

“It is beholden upon us all to keep our faith in this process and support it with all the resources at our disposal.”

The Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) H.E. Festus Mogae has on Saturday asked the IGAD regional states to maintain a unified approach, demonstrate One Voice, challenge those who peddle self-interest” towards the implementation of the South Sudan pact.

Chairperson,

Honourable Ministers,

Your Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is a pleasure to be here with you all today and I thank you for the kind invitation to brief you. In the short time since we last met a great deal has happened – some good, some not so good but 2018 has got off to a very rapid start, with high expectations for what must be achieved in South Sudan.

The successful convening of the High Level Revitalisation Forum just before Christmas was a huge and welcome step forward. A platform for inclusive, political dialogue has been established through which the challenges that confront us can be addressed and resolved.

I welcome the constructive engagement of all the parties and participants and trust that this will be sustained as we continue to make progress. I must congratulate Ambassador Dr. Ismail Wais, the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, for his determination in this matter.

Chairperson, Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

The first phase of the Forum dealt with the critical issue of bringing violence in South Sudan to an immediate halt. And so, like you all, I am pleased that within four days of convening, a comprehensive Agreement on the Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access was signed by all parties on 21st December 2017.

According to the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) this new cessation of hostilities has had a generally positive effect on reducing the overall level of violence in the country. However, I am disappointed to note that within weeks of its signing, this agreement has been violated by no less than three of the signatory parties.

Since the 24th of December 2017, when the agreement came into effect, fighting and troop movements have been reported in Central Equatoria, Unity, Jonglei and Upper Nile States, causing further displacement of civilians. CTSAMM quickly published reports on two outbreaks of violence, in Koch and Mundri, apportioning blame to SPLA-IO (Machar) and SPLA-IG respectively. The Chairman of CTSAMM has advised me that a number of other incidents and alleged violations are currently under investigation and I hope to receive further reports very soon.

I condemn the violations and call upon all signatories to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement to disseminate the terms of the agreement to their subordinate commanders and ensure immediate and consistent compliance.

Chairperson, Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

In recent days, statements have been made in the media by the Transitional Government of National Unity which, whether intentional or not, have the potential to undermine public confidence in regional and international peacekeeping efforts. In response, I have had cause to publicly demand full support for CTSAMM.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind us all that CTSAMM’s teams are the direct representatives of IGAD and the wider international community for the purpose of verification of ceasefire compliance in South Sudan and as such they deserve full respect and total cooperation.

I would also like to stress that they monitor and report with complete impartiality. Their reports are based on fact, not heresay or rumour, and they apportion blame only when the evidence gathered allows them to do so. There is always room for improvement in the management of their operations but it is deeply regretable that anyone should seek to undermine their integrity and commitment.

This week CTSAMM has conducted a workshop here in Addis Ababa with all the signatories, to put in place the practical mechanisms and cooperation required to deliver and enforce this cessation of hostilities agreement.

I commend CTSAMM for taking the lead on this and all the signatories for their participation. Furthermore, I urge the parties to cooperate fully under the terms of the Agreement so as to ensure unhindered access to the monitoring and verification teams in the field.

Chairperson, Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

As we begin this new year, I remain firmly of the belief that the revitalisation process provides us all with the most effective platform upon which to confront and resolve the severe security, governance, economic and humanitarian crises that continue to overwhelm South Sudan.

The Forum will convene again on 5th February and will continue its systematic review and invigoration of the Peace Agreement. It is beholden upon us all to keep our faith in this process and support it with all the resources at our disposal.

Chairperson, Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

The speed and alacrity with which some parties and individuals violated the cessation of hostilities agreement forces us all to confront, in much greater detail, the key issue of compliance.

We cannot stand by as South Sudanese leaders sign an agreement one day and authorise or allow its violation with impunity the next.

For the revitalisation process to be successful there must be a clear understanding among all South Sudanese leaders of the consequences of non-compliance and the determination of IGAD to ensure that agreements are complied with.

Articles 14.2 and 14.3 of the current cessation of hostilities agreement provide that the Chairperson of JMEC shall report any serious breaches to the TGoNU, IGAD, AU Peace and Security Council and UN Security Council for their action.

The actions refered to may include the measures decided by the 28th Extraordinary Summit of the IGAD Heads of State and Government, issued on 7th November 2014, namely:

The enactment of asset freezes

The enactment of regional travel bans, and,

The denial of the supply of arms and ammunition, and any other material that could be used in war.

It is now time to revisit the range of practical measures that can be applied in earnest to those who refuse to take this process seriously. We must, with one voice, make clear the consequences to be faced by those who wilfully violate, spoil or derail the Peace Agreement.

Chairperson, Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

Briefly, on other matters, I can report that:

The National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) continues to work diligently and expeditiously. We understand that the Constitutional Amendment Bill, submitted to the Minister of Justice back in April last year, is finally approved by the Council of Ministers but is yet to be tabled in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly for ratification.

Five security sector amendment bills were completed and submitted to the Minister of Justice two days ago, on 25th January, 2018. The NCAC is already in the process of reviewing the National Elections Act and Political Parties Act and has received submissions from parties and stakeholders which are now under consideration.

The humanitarian situation has seen very little improvement in recent months. Numbers of refugees and displaced persons remain at 4.1 million and UN-OCHA estimates that food shortages will leave around 5.1 million people unable to feed themselves properly by April.

Despite the November Presidential decree and the new Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, we await evidence of a significant improvement to humanitarian access around the country. In 2017 in South Sudan, there were 1,159 recorded humanitarian access incidents and 28 aid workers were killed. This is disgraceful. The High Level Humanitarian Oversight Committee meeting, anticipated since October, has still not taken place and as such the radical improvements needed in 2018 are nowhere in sight.

Improvements in economic stability in South Sudan have stalled. Annual inflation still hovers around 100 per cent and the exchange rate has started to weaken again after a period of stability. Payment of significant arrears in transfers to Sudan will require new borrowing if increased deficits and inflation are to be avoided.

Chairperson, Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen;

As I said at the beginning, 2018 is full of expectation for South Sudan. Ultimate responsibility for the direction that the country takes lies with the Government and the parties, but IGAD, supported by the wider international community, has a critical role to play.

It is essential that IGAD remains engaged, committed and focused throughout the revitalisation process, so that the reinforcing and reassuring support of the African Union and the United Nations can be brought to bear effectively and efficiently. Together, we have to help the South Sudanese leaders find and sustain the spirit of compromise and engagement that will deliver long term peace and stability.

I urge this Council to maintain a unified approach, demonstrate One Voice, challenge those who peddle self-interest, and decide the application of real measures against those who violate the Agreement.

The IGAD Revitalisation Forum is a watershed and offers an opportunity that should not be wasted or squandered. I appeal to IGAD to be resolute, without fear or favour, in their determination to ensure its success.

I thank you.

The Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission H.E. Festus Mogae has on Saturday held a consultative meeting and briefed  leaders from IGAD, United Nation and African Union leaders in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.

The National Constitutional Amendment Committee (NCAC) has on Thursday handed over five security Bills to the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs.

There must be clear consequences against “those who willfully violate, spoil or derail the Peace Agreement in South Sudan” the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) has said.