November 2015 - The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, today called upon all partners in South Sudan's peace process to remain supportive of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), as the implementation of the Peace Agreement enters a critical stage.

In an AU-issued statement, Dr. Dlamini-Zuma welcomed the successful convening of the inaugural meeting of the JMEC in Juba on 27 November 2015.

The JMEC, which was established to oversee the implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan, also commissioned its offices in the South Sudan capital on 26 November.

“The Chairperson of the Commission expresses deep appreciation to the Chairperson of the JMEC, former President Festus Gontebanye Mogae of Botswana, for his commitment and efforts, which made it possible to commence the operations of the JMEC,” said an AU-issued statement.

Dr. Dlamini-Zuma commended the South Sudanese parties which participated in the inaugural meeting, especially the Government and the leadership of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-Former Detainees (SPLM-FDs).

“The Chairperson of the Commission encourages all the South Sudanese parties which could not participate in the inaugural meeting, particularly the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO) and other prominent personalities, to ensure that they attend subsequent meeting of the JMEC,” the statement said. 

She also urged the parties to abide by the commitments they entered into under the Peace Agreement, including the permanent ceasefire.

The AU Commission Chairperson reiterated the organization’s commitment, notably through the High Level ad- hoc Committee and the High Representative for South Sudan, to support the full and timely implementation of the Agreement.