The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) welcomed East African leaders’ decision to convene a high-level revitalization forum to discuss concrete measures to restore a permanent ceasefire and achieve full peace implementation in South Sudan.
JMEC is a body tasked with overseeing implementation of the peace agreement in South Sudan. The peace monitoring body is led by former Botswana president Festus Mogae.
“There is a very good working relationship between the President, H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, and the First Vice President, H.E. General Taban Deng Gai, but real progress is still lacking and the pace of the implementation of the Peace Agreement is too slow,” said JMEC chairman Festus Mogae during the IGAD summit yesterday.
“It is regrettable that the progress and good efforts of the TGoNU continue to be overshadowed and in some cases reversed by the ongoing hostilities,” he added.
The peace monitor urged the East Africa's security and trading bloc to act collectively and decisively, speak with one voice and demand that the leaders of South Sudan end the violence and pursue a political solution and return to full implementation of the peace agreement.
The IGAD summit held in Addis Ababa on Monday called for the revitalization of the 2015 South Sudan peace accord, saying the peace agreement is the only political solution for the country.