Pre-High-Level Revitalization consultations continue as Special Envoy Ambassador Ismail Wais meets IGAD partners in Juba

(November 24, 2017) As part of his broad-based consultative meetings ahead of the High-Level Revitalization Forum, the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan met IGAD partners in Juba on Friday November 24, 2017.

This is part of wider continuous engagements the Special Envoy has had with key South Sudanese stakeholders and the international community, critical for the successful convening of the Forum.

The Envoy briefed the partners of the regional effort in convening an inclusive Forum. He informed that so far, thirty-one consultative meetings were held with the various Parties, estranged groups and other key stakeholders.

The Parties to the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCSS) include all signatories (whether currently within or outside the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU).

Keys consultations were held with H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E General Taban Deng Gai, First Vice President, H.E Dr. James Wani Iga, Vice President as well as members of the Council of Ministers of the TGoNU.

Consultations were also held with the different opposition parties and armed groups. Other key stakeholders consulted included representatives of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), Steering Committee of the National Dialogue, Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), CTSAMM, UNMISS, South Sudan Chamber of Commerce and Faith Based Organisations.

Others consulted included eminent Personalities, Youth groups, Civil Society Organisations, Women Bloc and Women Associations, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Protection of Civilian (PoC) sites, South Sudanese refugees and civil society in diaspora and the international community, partners and friends of South Sudan. In addition to consultations held in person South Sudanese stakeholders submitted aimed at achieving the objectives of the Forum made numerous submissions.

The Envoy noted the overwhelming support towards the Forum and expressed the high expectations by all stakeholders on the ARCSS revitalisation process.

“Many viewed the process as a timely opportunity to restore peace and implementation of the ARCSS,” he said.

“Many of the positions advanced and proposals submitted during the consultation process were very valuable. They must be considered at some stage whether before, during or after the Revitalisation Forum, if the cycle of violence is to be broken and for lasting peace to be restored in South Sudan.”

59^th Extra-ordinary meeting the IGAD Council of Ministers has been called to convene on December 11 to 12, 2017. The convening of the Forum will follow the meeting of the IGAD Council of Ministers. The Council is expected to provide further guidelines on the modalities, structure and other details on how the Forum will be organised.