Addis Ababa, Saturday 28 November 2015:The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, welcomes the successful convening, in Juba, on 27 November 2015, of the inaugural meeting of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) established to oversee the implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. Earlier, on 26 November 2015, the JMEC commissioned its offices in Juba. The Chairperson of the Commission expresses deep appreciation to the Chairperson of the JMEC, former President Festus Gontebanye Mogae of Botswana, for his commitment and efforts, which made it possible to commence the operations of the JMEC.
The Chairperson of the Commission commends the South Sudanese parties which participated in the inaugural meeting of the JMEC, especially the Government and the leadership of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-Former Detainees (SPLM-FDs). The Chairperson of the Commission encourages all the South Sudanese parties which could not participate in the inaugural meeting, particularly the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) and other prominent personalities, to ensure that they attend subsequent meeting of the JMEC.
The Chairperson of the Commission appreciates the tireless efforts of the Chair of the Inter- Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the other leaders of the region, as well as of the member countries of the AU High Level ad-hoc Committee on South Sudan and the international partners, in support of the peace process in South Sudan, including the operationalization of the JMEC. She calls on them to remain supportive of JMEC, as the implementation of the Peace Agreement enters a critical stage.
The Chairperson of the Commission urges the South Sudanese parties to abide by the commitments they have entered into under the Peace Agreement, including the permanent ceasefire. She reiterates the AU’s continued commitment, notably through the High Level ad- hoc Committee and the High Representative for South Sudan, to support the full and timely implementation of the Agreement. End