A committee of IGAD ministers will be formed to monitor restoration of normal;cy in South Sudan and ensure implementation of the 2018 peace agreement.
The 43rd IGAD Extraordinary Summit directed that under the leadership of Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh, who is the regional organisation chairman, a Ministerial-level sub-committee on South Sudan be formed to engage and monitor the restoration of calm in the country.
The team, the leaders directed, would also ensure engagement on the revitalised peace deal and ensure implementation of the necessary unification of forces, drafting of the constitution, and preparations for the elections withing the provided timelines.
The Summit held on Wednesday tasked the IGAD Ministerial Sub-Committee on South Sudan to travel to Juba for an assessment on modalities of initiating an inclusive dialogue building on the status of the peace deal and the outcomes of Tumaini Initiative that stalled in Nairobi.
“The Assembly Reaffirmed the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (the peace deal of 2018) as the cornerstone of the peace process in South Sudan; Underscored that dialogue and discussion remain the only means for resolving differences,” the communique read in part.
POORLY ATTENDED
The virtual meeting was, however, poorly attended, with the only Heads of State attending being PresidentGuelleh and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the President of Somalia.
Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was represented by Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Timothewos, while Kenya President William Ruto was represented by his National Security Adviser, Dr Monica Juma.
Others in attendance were IGAD Executive Secretary Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, outgoing AU Commission Moussa Faki, IGAD Deputy Executive Secretary Mohamed Abdi Ware, and IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan Amb Ismail Wais.
AU Commission Special Representative in South Sudan Amb Joram Biswaro, UN Secretary General Special Representative in South Sudan Nicholas Haysom, Special; and the Chairs of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) and Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanisms (CTSAMVM) attended as observers.
The Assembly said it was deeply concerned at the deteriorating security conditions in South Sudan, marked by resurgent violence, violations of ceasefire commitments, and a marked increase in violent incidents;
It also expressed alarm at the rising tensions in Juba and elsewhere following the Nasir skirmishes and the arrest of senior SPLM/A-IO military and government officials.
The Sudan Government, however, on Wednesday downplayed the incidents, terming it an isolated case that was addressed by the President.
Through the Foreign ministry, South Sudan government said the occurrence resulted from a “misunderstanding during a routine military deployment”.
It said the country is safe and open to visitors, investors and development partners.
KILLINGS CONDEMNED
The leaders further condemned the killing of SSPDF Commander in Nasir, Upper Nile State, General Majur Duk and others including a UN crew during evacuation.
A crew member was killed and two others injured when a UN helicopter on an evacuation mission in a remote part of South Sudan was attacked on March 7 as violence escalated.
The attack took place in the Nasir area of Upper Nile state, where the helicopter “came under fire” as it attempted to evacuate SSPDF.
Several soldiers were killed alongside Gen Dak.
In this regard, the IGAD leadership urged the parties to the conflict to immediately de-escalate tensions, adhere to and respect the permanent ceasefire.
They also called for the release of detained officials, unless credible evidence warrants legal proceedings conducted transparently and in accordance with due process.
CTSAMVM was directed to investigate Nasir clashes and the attack on the UN helicopter to ascertain the facts and ensure accountability for any violations;
For a diplomatic solution to the conflict, the Assembly called for the partnership of the AU, UN and international partners to ensure full implementation of the peace agreement.
