Efforts Should Strengthen toward Stability, Reconciliation in South Sudan: IGAD Chair

Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn said efforts should further be strengthened toward stability and reconciliation in South Sudan to address humanitarian crisis.

This was disclosed during the 31st Extraordinary Summit of IGAD heads of state and government held on Monday in Addis Ababa.

Prime Minister Hailemariam, current Chair of IGAD said that IGAD member states are closely following up on the political security and humanitarian development in the country and reconciliation efforts.

The formation of and swearing in of the National Dialogue Steering Committee and commitment to release political prisoners are step forward, he said.

The city of Juba has witnessed unprecedented peace over the past ten months. Some reform on the economy is seen as a positive step as well, the chairperson added.

“These are positive developments which we should build on them but should not be over emphasized for they do not necessarily guarantee long term sustainable solutions given the enormity of the crisis” Hailemariam said.

“So we have a long way to go for sustainable peace and we should do this urgently with a new sprit and energy”.

“Despite the recent announcement of unilateral ceasefire of the transitional government of national unity and concrete attempts to reinvigorate national dialogue, the situation in the ground has not shown much improvement”.

He called upon the Transitional Government of National Unity to re-ascertain its commitment to make national dialogue.

“I want to assure you that IGAD is speaking with one voice and will continue to closely work with all South Sudan stakeholders, the African union, UNs as well as all friends of South Sudan to support the peace and reconciliation effort”, he said.

In a communiqué they issued following the meeting, IGAD member states affirmed their commitment to work closely with the AU and UN in the pursuit of lasting peace in South Sudan.

They took note of the progress made by the government to address the issue of access, and the opening of new humanitarian corridors.

They also commend the governments of Kenya and Sudan for opening new humanitarian corridors.

They also noted progress made so far such as: the formation of the TGoNU, the reconstitution of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly and the incorporation of provisions of the Peace Agreement into the transitional constitution.

Furthermore the communiqué underscored that humanitarian assistance should be provided to all citizens of South Sudan without any discrimination.

The member states emphasized that all armed opposition groups in South Sudan also share full responsibility on the humanitarian consequences of the conflict and human rights violations occurring in South Sudan.

Finally, the members states appointed Dr. Mohamed Ali Guyo as the IGAD Special Envoy for Somalia and Ambassador Ismail Wais as the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan.