The IGAD Council of Ministers held its 60TH Extra-Ordinary Session on January 27, 2018 in Addis Ababa under the chairmanship of H.E. Workneh Gebeyehu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers. The session was attended by H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Djibouti; H.E. Amina Mohamed Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic Kenya; H.E Ambassador Ahmed Isse Awad, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Somalia; H.E Dr. Matin Elia Lomuro, Minister of Cabinet Affairs of the Republic of South Sudan; H.E. Professor Ibrahim Ghandour, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan;H.E. Sam Kutesa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda; and; H.E Hirut Zemene, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
H.E. Festus Mogae, Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC); H.E. Mahboub Maalim, IGAD Executive Secretary and H.E. Ismail Wais,IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan were also in attendance.
The Special Envoys of the AU, UN, EU and Troika (Norway, UK, US) as well as representatives of China, Co-Chairperson of the IGAD Partners Forum (IPF) were also present at the meeting and made statements at the opening session.
After listening to the Progress Report of the IGAD Special Envoy on the steps taken to date on the Implementation of the outcomes of the first phase of the High Level revitalization Forum (HLRF)of the ARCSS, preparations to convene the second phase of the High-Level Revitalization Forum of the ARCSS and following exchange of views on the matter;
The Council;
Takes note with appreciation the reports by the Chairperson of JMEC, H.E Festus Mogae and the report of the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan and endorses the recommendations therein.
Welcomes the progress made so far in the implementation of the High Level Revitalization of the ARCSS and in particular the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement on December 21, 2017.
Notes the achievements gained so far and the preparations put in place to convene the second phase of the High-Level Revitalization Forum and commends the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan and his task force for a job well done and while affirming the Council’s full support and commitment, encourages the Special Envoy to continue with his efforts, in collaboration with the partners until the process of the revitalization is completed in the shortest time possible.
Expresses its profound appreciation for the solidarity and firm commitment manifested by the AU, UN, Troika (Norway, UK, US) IPF, EU, and China to the process initiated by the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government in June 2017 to Revitalize the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS), and calls upon the partners to continue and enhance their political support, financialand otherassistance to the IGAD initiative.
Express its full support for the commendable task that CTSAMM has embarked upon based on its renewed mandate under the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and fully endorses the reports of violation incidents that CTSAMM has submitted to the IGAD Council of Ministers.
Condemns in the strongest terms the violators of the Agreement on the CoH of December last year and similar prior agreements, and holds them accountable for the loss of lives and human rights violations that they continue to cause in many parts of South Sudan and calls upon CTSAMM to proceed with urgency and carryout further investigations, identify individual violators and parties of the CoH Agreement based on which Council will take all necessary measure including targeted sanctions against individual violators and spoilerssuch as travel ban, asset freeze and recommend to the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to carry out further targeted sanctions and other punitive measureson parties and individuals as appropriate.
Expresses its concern at the pronouncements made by high level government officials of the Transitional Government of the National UnitySouth Sudan and SPLM-IO (RM) against the letter and spirit of the CoH agreement and issued unwarranted attacks againstCTSAMM only because it issued reports on violations as per its mandate. Further reminded that CTSAMM was created by IGADto assist the implementation of the ARCSS. Council expresses its resolve that such acts shall not continue with impunity and individuals and groups shall bear consequences for their action of violation of the CoH Agreement Encourages the parties to cooperate with CTSAMM.
Notes with deep regret that in spite of the continuing efforts by IGAD, AU, and UN as well as the international partners, the people of South Sudan continue to suffer mainly because of the on-going violence and insecurity that has causedlarge scale famine and displacement of millions of the South Sudanese. In this connection Council welcomes the decision reached at the trilateral consultation convened the same day between the Chairperson of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government, the Chairperson of the AUC, and the Secretary General of the UN that has affirmed the determination of the three organizations to work closely together to inter-alia support punitive measures against any South Sudanese party that fails to perform its obligation and violates the political settlement that emerges from the HLRF.
Approves that the second phase of the HLRF convenes on February 5 to 16, 2018 in Addis Ababa between the parties to the ARCSS, delegates representing the government, political parties and oppositions including estranged groups and Civil Society organizations to engage in good faith in the spirit of compromise, putting the interest of their people and the nation first, discuss concrete measures to restore permanent ceasefire; full and inclusive implementation of the ARCSS; and develop a revised and realistic timeline and implementation schedule towards a democratic election at the end of the transition period.
Affirms its resolve to speak with one voice and render all necessary support
to the people of South Sudan in their effort to restore peace in South Sudan through full and timely implementation of a revitalized ARCSS and in this connection underlines its conviction that the ARCSS remains the only viable option to attain peace in South Sudan.
Decides to remain fully seized of the situation in South Sudan and will redouble its effort towards the success of the High-Level Revitalization Forum.
On Somalia,
Council,
Notes the successful mediation of the Galmudug and congratulated the IGAD Special Envoy to Somalia for this efforts and Expressesconcerns on the recent clashes between Somaliland and Puntland; and, calls upon the two parties to cease hostilities and revert to the status quo.
On institutional matters
Council notes the establishment of The IGAD Centre of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent extremism that is based in Djibouti and commits to provide the Centre with the requisite political, diplomatic and financial support.
Done in Addis Ababa, on January 27, 2018
