All South Sudanese Parties Must Accept IGAD’s Bridging Proposal, Says Chairperson Workeneh

Addis Ababa May 31/2018 South Sudanese parties must agree that it is time to accept IGAD’s Bridging Proposal to move forward and spare no time to recommit to silence the guns once and for all, IGAD Council of Ministers Chairperson Workeneh Gebeyehu said. In his opening statement to the 62nd Extraordinary Session of the IGAD Council of Ministers on South Sudan today, he said “if the parties have that higher goal and will, the renovated peace process will heal the wounds of South Sudan and herald a new chapter of unity, peace, democracy and prosperity to its people.” Workeneh stated that IGAD has received close to 20 reports on violations of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement from Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM). The challenges, however, were not lack of willingness to come together and dialogue, but lack of will to compromise and build the necessary trust among the parties, he added. We have reached a decisive moment and all parties must accept the proposal, Workeneh said, and for this to happen: “All sides should compromise, and compromise for the sake of the South Sudanese children, youth, women and elderly that are bearing the brunt of this continued violence.” According to him, they should all stick to the Bridging Proposal and beef it up to the level that it can further accommodate the basic interests of the parties. “The new proposal is nothing but an initial framework of transition that will lead parties to start a peaceful and democratic election,” he pointed out. The frivolous act of the warring parties and IGAD’s prolonged procedure to apply some enforcement mechanisms is putting the organization and other stakeholders into enormous criticism and pressure, the Chairperson said, adding that “the indecision is also extending the agony and suffering of the people of South Sudan.” Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) Chairperson, Festus Mogae through his representative said “the Council should reflect on the process so far and determine how best to help South Sudanese parties to overcome the current stalemate.” “The people of South Sudan are yearning for peace. They are tired of this senseless conflict and cannot afford endless talks without economic recovery and redress to the dire humanitarian situation,” he emphasized. None of the parties may be celebrating for the nature of dialogue cannot grant 100 percent of a single party’s interest, he said, and added that perhaps this is even the more reason to take this Bridging Proposal as the middle ground. “I continue to appeal to the Council to remain resolute, speak with one voice, and to prevail over the intransigent parties to make compromises and accommodate one another,” Mogae underlined. The Council of Ministers is expected to consider punitive measures against violators of the ceasefire agreement. Data show that about 4.2 million South Sudanese remain displaced, 2.4 million of which are refugees in neighboring countries, and about 7 million in need of humanitarian assistance.