IGAD Special Envoy Encourages South Sudan Stakeholders to Promote Consensus Building

Addis Ababa May 18/2018 IGAD’s Special Envoy for South Sudan, Ambassador Ismail Wais encouraged all parties and stakeholders to strive even more in enhancing the spirit of accommodation and consensus building. Higher officials from JMEC, AU, UN, EU, China and IPF including Foreign Affairs Minister Workneh Gebeyehu are attending the Second Phase of High Level Revitalization Forum which was begun yesterday in Addis Ababa. Participants of the forum further emphasized on the importance of collective efforts to overcome lack of trust in order to end the conflict in South Sudan. Speaking during the meeting of the continuation of the Second Phase of the High Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) in Addis Ababa, IGAD’s Special Envoy Wais said “South Sudan continues to face many challenges because of the   conflict." According to him, "it is recognized that the current conflict resumed principally due to lack of trust and a failure of the political elites to compromise.” Therefore, the parties will need to seek workable and creative solutions, which recognize the true challenges facing South Sudan and particularly those which can bridge the differences between the parties, he stressed. Wais said “There is an urgent imperative to end the suffering of the people, restore sustainable peace and stability to enable the country begins the process of nation building.” He urged the need to narrow down the gaps between the positions of the parties prompted the South Sudan parties and stakeholders at the forum to recommend that IGAD Council Members intensify their engagement in order to make the necessary compromises. Foreign Affairs Minister Workneh Gebeyehu said on his part IGAD member states need urgent action to bring the spirit of brotherhood and sisterhood to the people of the South Sudan. All parties should work hand in hand to develop trust among stakeholders and he said "we must silence the guns, we must narrow the political gaps and we must promote democratic elections." The peace revitalization forum has resumed in yesterday and the parties are discussing outstanding issues related to the power-sharing and the security arrangements. However, South Sudan President Salva Kiir has unveiled conditions for a future peace agreement, saying he would not accept any agreement creating two armies, dissolution of the security sector and the return of his former first deputy Rick Machar in government and party in an official capacity.