For immediate release

Juba, South Sudan 26th April, 2016: The Executive Secretary of Intergovernmental Organization on Development (IGAD), H.E Amb (Eng) Mahboub Maalim wishes to congratulate  the people and Government of the Republic of South Sudan (GOSS) on  this momentous occasion of the starting point  of the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGNU) and expresses his admiration and gratitude to the two parties including the former detainees and all other stake holders who have worked tirelessly to make this day a reality.

The Executive Secretary underlined that this day marks an important milestone in the long walk towards sustainable peace and stability for South Sudan.  The mood of despair and mistrust has once again been replaced by a light of hope and optimism. The member states of IGAD and the peoples the region at large will redouble their support and continue to demonstrate unswerving solidarity with the people of South Sudan at this critical juncture in the history of the Country.

As a region, IGAD pledges to work with the Government and the people of South Sudan as they walk on this journey, which is expected to come with lots of challenges. But IGAD is hopeful that the interest and aspirations of the people of south Sudan will always prevail. In this regard, IGAD urges the leadership within the Government and opposition to continue demonstrating the same level of resolve and commitment in implementing the peace agreement. IGAD also calls upon all stake holders and in particular the church leaders and the civil societies to continue preaching messages of peace and reconciliation.

Finally, the Executive Secretary of IGAD would wishes to seize this opportunity to thank IGAD partners for having supported the peace process and calls upon them to continue doing so as the leadership and the people of South Sudan embark on the arduous journey to foster peace and reconciliation in their country. ###

For more information , contact: daniel.yifru@igad.int