IGAD Special Envoys for the South Sudan Mediation Process express serious concerns over reports of ongoing clashes in various locations across Upper Nile, Jonglei, Warrap and Unity states. The Envoys deplore the breach of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement signed by the Government of the Republic of South Sudan and the SPLM/A (in Opposition) on 23rd January 2014 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. These developments will only serve to undermine the ongoing mediation process and the worsening of the suffering of the people of South Sudan.
The IGAD Special Envoys therefore strongly urge the parties to immediately adhere to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement as well as continue with their strong commitment to the mediation process, given that the crisis in South Sudan cannot be solved by military means, but rather through a political dialogue. The Envoys further call on the parties to fully cooperate to the speedy operationalization of the Monitoring and Verification Mechanism as per the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.
While appreciating the full cooperation of the Partners of IGAD in this endeavor, the Special Envoys also appeal to the contributing countries to the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) and the Monitoring and Verification Teams (MVTs) to send their representatives in the next couple of days. They further appeal to Partners of IGAD to provide the necessary logistical support for an expeditious operationalization of the Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (MVM).
Issued on 19th February 2014, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
For more information, Contact:
Ms. Tigist Hailu (tigist.hailu@cewarn.org), +251.911.663.514
or Mr. Brazille Musumba (brazille.musumba@igad.int), +254 722 617995