IGAD asked to show resolute determination in driving South Sudan peace process

ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Chairman of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) for South Sudan , Festus Mogae, has appealed to leaders of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to remain united under one voice and to encourage the South Sudanese leadership to seize the opportunity to restore the Peace Agreement to center stage.

The Chairman made the remarks on Sunday during the 59th extra-ordinary session of the IGAD Council of Ministers in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, according to a statement released in connection with the meeting.

"I appeal to IGAD to be resolute, without fear or favor, in their determination to ensure the success of the revitalization forum. This is a huge opportunity that cannot be wasted or squandered," said Mogae.

The chairman has underlined that the region must approach the revitalization with strength of purpose.

"Collectively, it is critical that the IGAD Heads of State and Governments prevail over the South Sudanese leadership to rethink the current trajectory of the country and take the necessary steps to restore peace and inclusive governance," he said.

The Chairman has called on all the South Sudanese participants at the High Level Revitalization Forum to remain focused on the desperate plight of the people of South Sudan.

"For them, we must stop the fighting, end the violence, deal with criminality, prevent sexual and human rights abuses, reduce human suffering and address the economic crisis," said Mogae.

"I reiterate my call to all South Sudanese stakeholders that, as they come to the table in search of a sustainable political solution, they must renounce violence and demonstrate the political will to compromise and accommodate one another," he said.

"It is simply not possible to overstate the fundamental necessity for an immediate cessation of all hostilities. Without that, we stand no chance of stemming the tide of displacement, enabling unhindered delivery of aid to those in need or contemplating the return of IDPs (internally displaced persons) and refugees to their homes", he said.

The JMEC has been established among others to oversee the implementation of the agreement on the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan. Enditem