IGAD PLUS Peace Agreement Under Threat Says CEPO

 

By Jok P Mayom

JUBA, 03 September 2015 [Gurtong]- The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) in South Sudan said the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) PLUS Agreement on the resolution of the conflict in the Republic of South Sudan is under serious threat.

Mr. Edmund Yakani Berizilious, the Executive Director for CEPO said the organization was delighted and applauds the two Principals, President Salva Kiir and Rebel Leader Dr. Riek Machar for signing the peace agreement on 17th and 26th August 2015 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Juba, South Sudan respectively.

Mr. Yakani said CEPO also congratulated the two principals for taking a step forward for ordering a complete ceasefire which is a good gesture and step forward in the implementation of the peace agreement for a sustainable peace which all South Sudanese are yawning for.

The Organization however expresses dismay, saying it is concerned that despite the signing of the peace agreement and the subsequent declaration and orders to observe complete ceasefire in the country, the forces of the warring parties violated the agreement.  

“It is now three days since the cease fire was declared yet the forces of the warring parties continue to intensify the fighting across the country and especially in Upper Nile region” CEPO said.

Yakani said, his organization notes these critical issues as serious threats to the implementation of the peace agreement.

The Executive Director cited enormous violations from 29th to 31st August, 2015 in Malakal and Tonga of Upper Nile State where the government forces clashed with the rebels’ factions.

CEPO notes with concern that these acts are already a violation of the peace agreement which is less than a week old.

Mr. Yakani decried that the recent military clashes after the signing of the peace agreement demonstrates the field commanders are not honoring the permanent ceasefire directives given by the two principals who signed the peace agreement.

“CEPO calls upon the leaders of all the forces to demonstrate commitment to the implementation of the peace agreement and take disciplinary actions against commanders who defy orders and violate the peace agreement or threaten to destabilize the country for whatever reasons they may have” Yakani said.

 CEPO is appealing to the IGAD Plus and members of the international community to pressure the parties and all allied foreign forces to respect the peace agreement and work together for its implementations for the common good of the South Sudanese people who have suffered enough for decades.

CEPO also is calling upon the principals of the parties to the peace agreement to strongly urge their forces in the theatre of operation to stop any confrontation per their given directives without preconditions.

Meanwhile, President Salva Kiir Mayardit also Commander In-Chief of the SPLA forces signed the IGAD agreement on 26th August in Juba, 2015 while Dr. Riek Macher Teny former vice President, turned rebel leader and Commander In-Chief of SPLA in Opposition signed on 17th August, 2015 in Addis Ababa.

Community Empowerment for Progress Organization-CEPO is a non-profit, civil society, South Sudanese organization, engaged in the areas of Peace and conflict mitigation, human rights, rule of law, livelihood, governance and democratic transformation.