Remarks by Festus Mogae at the IGAD Summit on the situation in South Sudan
STATEMENT BY H.E. FESTUS G. MOGAE, CHAIRPERSON OF JMEC, TO THE IGAD HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT SUMMIT ON THE STATUS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT ON THE RESOLUTION OF THE CONFLICT IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN, 16 JULY 2016, KIGALI, RWANDA
Your Excellency Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of the
Federal Republic of Ethiopia & Chairman of IGAD;
Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government of IGAD;
Your Excellencies Heads of State and Government representing the five Regions of the African Union;
Your Excellency Secretary General of the United Nations;
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen;
July 17, 2016 (SSB) — I thank you for honoring my request, for this Meeting of the IGAD Leaders on the situation in South Sudan. I very much welcome the opportunity to address you on this issue.
It is coming to nine months since I accepted your appointment to serve as Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC). This is a body mandated to oversee and monitor implementation, under Chapter VII of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.
My address to you this evening was supposed to give an account of the progress made thus far, the challenges faced, and appeal for your continued unwavering support, in the implementation of the Agreement, in which you played a foundational role. However, I regret to inform you that this has now been overtaken by recent events, of which you must all be well aware by now.
On Thursday, that is, two days ago, I had the opportunity to travel to Juba, in the company of Former President Alpha Konare – the AU High Representative for South Sudan. During our visit, we met with the President His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit. Unfortunately, we were unable to meet the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, and only managed to speak to him on the phone. We wanted to know what had happened, and what their proposed way forward was.
The President gave us his version of what led to this regrettable confrontation. Regarding the way forward, the President informed us that he was anxious to meet with the First Vice President for discussions. The First Vice President, on his part, also expressed a willingness to meet with the President, provided his security was assured. The Ministers of the SPLM-IO, whom we had the chance to meet, gave their own version of events leading to the confrontation.
Mr. Chairman;
Your Excellencies;
I had come prepared to give a more detailed briefing to your Meeting, but for brevity, I will proceed to make recommendations. The full text of my Statement and the Detailed Report will be submitted to Secretariat for distribution.
I recommend that:
The IGAD Summit condemn in the strongest terms the recent armed confrontation between the SPLA-IG and SPLA-IO that caused the loss of innocent lives, including unwarranted attacks on diplomatic vehicles and UN Protection of Civilian sites, and call for a full investigation and accountability for those who bear direct responsibility.
The IGAD Summit call upon the President and the First Vice President to ensure the strict adherence by their respective forces to the Cessation of Hostilities and the Ceasefire and embark on full implementation of the Agreement and Transitional Security Arrangement provisions.
The IGAD Summit demand an immediate verification of the disposition of dispersed IO forces outside the designated sites, and the SPLA forces around Juba and those that have moved into town from the 25KM cantonment sites.
The IGAD Summit call for immediate cantonment of armed forces throughout the country in accordance with the Permanent Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements (PCTSA) Workshop provisions and the need for JMCC to create a mechanism to identify the current IO force locations and establish regrouping points to provide them with shelter and guaranteed safety and security.
The IGAD Summit appeal to the International Community to take the necessary steps to address the dire humanitarian situation, and urge the TGoNU to put in place measures to provide unimpeded access, protection and non-interference with humanitarian supplies.
The IGAD Summit endorse the deployment of an international protection force to guarantee safety and security in Juba.
The IGAD Summit condemns in the strongest possible terms the continuing obstruction of CTSAMM-MVTs and other Institutions established by the Agreement by State agents, from implementing their tasks and mandate, and call upon the TGoNU to issue the necessary orders to guarantee CTSAMM freedom of movement.
The IGAD Summit should remind the Parties to adhere to their commitment to the August 2015 Agreement, and reiterate that it provides the best opportunity for South Sudanese stakeholders to amicably settle their differences, promote reconciliation and build sustainable peace.
Mr. Chairman;
Finally, I plead with the IGAD Heads of State and Government to remain seized of the situation in South Sudan, and to take all necessary measures, to ensure full implementation and adherence, by the Parties to the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.
Lastly, I request Your Excellencies to convene an urgent IGAD Heads of State and Government Summit in Juba, as doing so would arrest the deteriorating situation and assure the people of South Sudan of your continuing commitment to the peace process.
I thank you.
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