JMEC condemns kidnapping of 10 aid workers

File photo: Festus Mogae

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) said surge in violence and fighting in Unity, Jonglei and Central Equatoria and the detainment of ten aid workers are unacceptable violations of the 2015 peace agreement.

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) said surge in violence and fighting in Unity, Jonglei and Central Equatoria and the detainment of ten aid workers are unacceptable violations of the 2015 peace agreement.

JMEC is a body tasked with overseeing the implementation of the signed 2015 peace deal in war-town South Sudan.

Festus Mogae, the former president of Botswana, is the head of the peace monitoring body in the country.

JME said in a statement on Saturday that it is dismayed by reports that ten aid workers, working for UN agencies and NGO’s and supporting people in need, have gone missing from around Yei town in Central Equatoria. 

The peace monitoring body condemned this latest violation of the two-signed agreements, which demand unimpeded access for humanitarian aid workers in South Sudan.

“JMEC expects this deplorable situation to be resolved as quickly as possible and that the aid workers are found and released immediately and unconditionally,” partly reads the statement.

JMEC also condemned a reported outbreak of fighting in Unity, Jonglei and Central Equatoria states, where violent clashes are reportedly causing an influx of internally displaced people, especially women, children and the elderly, seeking sanctuary.
 

“These incidents must be investigated before any pronouncements can be made but all violence is unacceptable and potentially damaging to the on-going revitalization process. JMEC therefore has asked CTSAMM to undertake the necessary investigation as stipulated in the 2017 Agreement on Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access (ACoH),” it said.

JMEC called upon all signatory parties to cease fighting, avoid confrontation and protect civilians from harm or displacement and fully comply with the provisions of the ceasefire agreement in both letter and spirit.