JMEC and UN Security Council calls for immediate ceasefire in Juba, South Sudan
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- UN Security Council Press Statement on Escalation of Fighting in Juba, South Sudan
July 11, 2016 (SSB) — The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the escalation of fighting in Juba, South Sudan that started on July 7. The members of the Security Council expressed particular shock and outrage at the attacks on UN compounds and protection of civilians sites in Juba. The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms all attacks and provocations against civilians and the United Nations. They emphasized the need for United Nations protection of civilians sites and United Nations personnel to remain secure. They expressed their sympathies and condolences to the families of Chinese and Rwandan peacekeepers who were killed or injured in the attacks.
The members of the Security Council urged an immediate end to the fighting by all concerned and demanded that President Kiir and First Vice President Machar do their utmost to control their respective forces, urgently end the fighting and prevent the spread of violence, and genuinely commit themselves to the full and immediate implementation of the peace agreement, including the permanent ceasefire and redeployment of military forces from Juba.
The members of the Security Council reminded all parties, including government security forces, of the civilian character of the protection of civilian sites in South Sudan. The members of the Security Council stressed that attacks against civilians and UN premises and personnel may constitute war crimes, and they emphasized the importance of transparent investigations into these crimes and that those involved must be held accountable and could be potentially subject to sanctions as authorized under resolution 2206 (2015) for actions that threaten the peace, security or stability of South Sudan.
The members of the Security Council encouraged countries in the region, the African Union Peace and Security Council and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, to continue firmly engaging with South Sudanese leaders to address the crisis.
The members of the Security Council expressed their support for the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS). The members of the Security Council expressed their readiness to consider enhancing UNMISS to better ensure that UNMISS and the international community can prevent and respond to violence in South Sudan. The members of the Security Council encouraged states in the region to prepare to provide additional troops in the event the Council so decides. In the interim, the members of the Security Council stressed the need for UNMISS to make full use of its authority to use all necessary means to protect civilians.
10 July 2016
- FULL STATEMENT FROM JMEC: FESTUS MOGAE CALLS FOR CEASEFIRE
The Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) H.E. Festus Gontebanye Mogae and Former President of Botswana, has appealed for immediate cessation of hostilities in South Sudan, and an immediate return to the implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS).
The Chairperson of JMEC has reacted with regret to the reported fighting in Juba, which has not relented in the past two days. He has called on the parties to the conflict to exercise restraint to avoid any further loss of lives and destruction of property
Festus G. Mogae has expressed his condolences to the families of those killed in the renewed fighting. He has also expressed concern at the large numbers of people reportedly being displaced, compounding the dire humanitarian catastrophe that the country faces.
The Chairperson of JMEC regrets that failure to respect the permanent ceasefire by the parties would significantly undermine the 2015 Peace Agreement for South Sudan. He expressed his earnest hope that his ongoing efforts to engage President Salva Kiir Mayardit and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon will yield positive results, in de-escalating the conflict, and ensuring the expeditious implementation of the Peace Agreement.
Festus G. Mogae has appealed to IGAD, AU, UN and the International community to assist South Sudan in every manner possible, during this difficult period, in particular to secure stability and ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance to the people of South Sudan.
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