The Heads of State and Government from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have said that the hostilities in South Sudan can only be brought to an end through dialogue.
In a joint statement after their 43rd Extraordinary Assembly held on Wednesday over the South Sudan situation, the leaders said they are deeply concerned by the resurgence of violence and violations of ceasefire commitments in the country.
“Dialogue and discussion remain the only means for resolving differences.”
The heads of state and government reaffirmed the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) of 2018 as the cornerstone of the peace process.
The Extraordinary Assembly condemned the killing of the Commander of the SSPDF forces in Nasir, Upper Nile State, General Majur Duk and others, including a UN crew during evacuation.
The leaders further urged the concerned parties to immediately de-escalate tensions and adhere to and respect the Permanent Ceasefire, as they also called for the immediate release of detained officials.
“Prioritise and expedite the implementation of Transitional Security Arrangements by providing the requisite resources in a timely manner.”
The Summit directed the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanisms (CTSAMVM) to probe the Nasir clashes and the attack on the UN helicopter to ascertain the facts and ensure accountability for any violations.
It also directed the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan to intensify engagement with all armed groups to secure full adherence to the ceasefire deal.
The leaders said they welcome grassroots peace dialogues and further encouraged religious and traditional leaders and civil society to support reconciliation initiatives and advocate for the inclusion and empowerment of women, youth and other under-represented groups.
The summit was chaired by Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti and Chairperson of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government.
President Hassan Mohamud (Somalia) was also present, as well as representatives of President William Ruto (Kenya), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda) and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia.
Also present was Workneh Gebeyehu (IGAD Executive Secretary) and his deputy Mohamed Abdi Ware, Moussa Faki (outgoing AUC Chairperson) and Ambassador Ismail Wais (IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan), Ambassador Joram Biswaro, Special Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission in South Sudan, Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General in South Sudan and the Chairs of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC) and Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanisms (CTSAMVM) as observers.
