South Sudanese peace process continues from Juba

The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) which oversees the 2015 South Sudanese peace deal has returned to the capital Juba after it moved to Addis Ababa during the fighting.

It announced its decision to return in a statement on Tuesday after the United Nations Security Council’s visit to the country to convince President Salva Kiir to agree to the deployment of an additional regional protection force.

The Chairperson of the JMEC, former President of Botswana Festus Mogae, also held consultative meetings with the UNSC delegation led by the US ambassador to the United Nations, Samantha Power.

He commended the council for the visit which he believes is a reassurance to the government and South Sudanese people that the international community and the United Nations is committed to help bring peace to the country.

“The JMEC Chairperson expressed his unflinching commitment to assist TGoNU [The Government of National Unity] in its implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan,” the statement added.

The Commission is planning to engage, in the next few days, all major stake holders in the peace process including the leadership of TGoNU at the highest level.

Days of violence in the country between rival forces of President Salva Kiir and former rebel leader and recently relieved vice president Riek Machar have caused the displacement of thousands of people in the country.

The South Sudanese government has agreed to the deployment of a United Nations protection force made up of troops from the East African region.