The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), says they deeply regret the continuous suffering of South Sudanese civilians and continued hostilities among warring parties in South Sudan.
JMEC Deputy Chairperson Ambassador Augostino Njoroge while addressing the opening of a four-day orientation workshop in Juba on Monday said the continuous killings of civilians, sexual violence against women, displacement of children, elderly and disabled persons in South Sudan are “deeply disheartening”.
“We strongly condemn any acts of violence on civilian population and remind the parties to respect the spirit and fully commit to the letter and spirit of Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, signed by all parties to the conflict in December last year,” Njoroge said.
Njoroge pointed out that despite the suffering of the people, the parties continue to violate the ceasefire agreements signed.
“Today, we are still being confronted by increased hostilities amongst the different parties and flagrant violations of the permanent ceasefire. The continuous deteriorating political, security, humanitarian and economic situation in the country have caused unprecedented displacement, famine and economic meltdown,” he added.
Ambassador Njoroge noted that the worsening economic situation due to the war puts more pressure on an already fragile economy and causes despair amongst South Sudanese.
The JMEC official further urged South Sudanese to be at the fore front of promoting peace in the country.
JMEC is tasked to oversee the implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS) was signed in Addis Ababa in August 2015.