South Sudan’s government and opposition groups this evening signed a cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and humanitarian access agreement in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, ending the first phase of the revitalization process that was launched on 18 December.
The agreement on cessation of hostilities reached this evening comes after South Sudan’s government, rebels and other key stakeholders agreed to revive the 2015 peace agreement brokered by the East African regional bloc IGAD.
According to the agreement, the cessation of hostilities agreement will come into force at 00:01 on December 24.The signed deal also sets the stage for further discussions on the revitalization process.
The IGAD special envoy Ismail Wais urged South Sudanese parties to continue with the same spirit in the next phase of the forum that will deal with issues of governance, permanent ceasefire, traditional security arraignments and revised timeline for implementation of the 2015 peace agreement.
Henry Odwar, deputy chairman of the SPLM-IO group and head of the team at peace negotiations in Addis Ababa, confirmed to Radio Tamazuj that “progress” has been made and that they have signed the cessation of hostilities agreement this evening.
“We have agreed to respect the agreement, and guns will be silenced. There will be consequences for whoever violates it,” he said.
“The agreement stipulates that any movement of guns without verification by CTSAMM is a violation of the agreement. We also agreed that the liaison officers who are South Sudanese will not be in one place, but the board meeting will be held in Addis Ababa every two months,” he said.
The senior rebel official expressed optimism that the revitalization process will restore peace and tranquillity in South Sudan.
Joseph Bangasi Bakosoro, former governor of Western Equatoria and leader of South Sudan National Movement for Change (SSNMC), said that they have signed the cessation of hostilities agreement.
He pointed out that whoever violates the signed agreement will face tough penalties, saying the agreement marks the end of the ongoing civil war in the country.
Edmund Yakani, a leading civil society activist, said the cessation of hostilities deal will come into effect within 72 hours. He pointed out that the parties agreed to form a joint commission to oversee implementation of the signed cessation of hostilities agreement.
The rights defender revealed that discussions on matters related to governance between the parties will take place in early 2018.
Kim Lony Gatluak, an ally of the incumbent First Vice-President Taban Deng Gai, said the signed cessation of hostilities agreement marks a new beginning in South Sudan. He pointed out the deal will renew hope into people's lives in the country.