AU, US welcome appointment of JMEC chairman for S. Sudan peace implementation
October 21, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – The African Union (AU) and the United States (US) have issued statements welcoming the recent appointment of Botswana’s former president, Festus Gontebanye Mogae, as the head of a monitoring body set up to oversee the implementation of the South Sudanese peace agreement signed in August between president Salva Kiir and his former deputy, Riek Machar.
“As stipulated in the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan signed by the South Sudanese Parties in August 2015, the JMEC shall be responsible for monitoring and overseeing the implementation of the Agreement and the mandate and tasks of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGONU), including the adherence of the Parties to the Agreed timelines and implementation schedule,” the statement extended to Sudan Tribune further clarifies.
It pointed the “vast experience” the former Botswanan president had to deal with the complex issues of governance and security matters in the youngest nation.
AU also announced to convene of workshop that will bring all members of the IGAD-Plus mechanism to Addis Ababa on 2 November “to identify steps to be taken by the AU in support of the Agreement.”
In Washington, the State Department on Wednesday also issued a statement welcoming the appointment of former president Mogae to head the JMEC.
“The Department of State commends the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for selecting former Botswanan President Festus Mogae as the Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) for South Sudan. A prominent leader of accomplishment and moral authority, President Mogae will lead a group of international experts responsible for overseeing and supporting the implementation of all aspects of the agreement,” partly reads the statement issued by the State Department’s spokesman, John Kirby.
The statement said the United States will work closely with him and other international partners to help the South Sudanese people revitalize their dream of achieving peace and building a new nation.
“The United States for decades has been one of the closest partners and friends to the people of South Sudan. The U.S. Special Envoy Donald Booth has been deeply involved in the peace process and will continue to work with all the partners, including President Mogae and the JMEC, in the implementation of the August peace agreement,” it further reassured.
US further pointed out that through successful implementation, it seeks to restore the spirit of hope and promise shared by South Sudanese people upon independence in 2011.
“We look forward to receiving President Mogae in Washington, D.C. in the coming weeks to coordinate our efforts to accomplish this goal,” it added.
(ST)