NAIROBI COMMUNIQUE OF THE IGAD SUMMIT ON SOUTH SUDAN
NAIROBI, KENYA, 25th MARCH 2017
On 25th March, 2017, The IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government convened a special summit to deliberate on the current situation in South Sudan.
Held on the sidelines of the IGAD Special summit, Towards Durable Solutions for Somali Refugees and Sustainable Reintegration of Returnees in Somalia, the summit was Chaired by H.E Hailemarian Desalegne, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Chair of the IGAD Summit and attended by; H.E. Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti; H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya; H.E. Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia; H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan; H.E Kaguta Museveni, President of the Republic of Uganda; and H.E Hasabo Mohamed Abdul Rhaman, Vice-President of the Republic of the Sudan.
Following briefings by the President South Sudan and Vice-President of the Sudan, and subsequent discussions, the Summit:
1. Expressed deep concern about the worsening humanitarian crisis in South Sudan; and decided that all necessary measures must be taken to save lives and forestall the famine. Therefore, the Summit decided that all humanitarian corridors should be immediately opened without any conditionality to allow safe access to affected populations across the country. In this regard, the summit called for a confirmation of this action from JMEC within a week.
2. Condemned the proliferation of armed groups in South Sudan; and called on all armed groups to renounce violence as a means of solving the problems of South Sudan.
3. Called upon all factions to immediately stop the fighting. In response to this call, the Government of South Sudan agreed to announce a unilateral ceasefire and grant amnesty to those that renounced violence.
4. Welcomed the position taken by the Government of South Sudan to announce a unilateral ceasefire and offer amnesty, and called upon all 5the national dialogue.
5. Further urged both the Government of Sudan and the Government of South Sudan to ensure that their territories are not used by any armed groups that threaten the security of both countries as well as hthe implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS).
6. Encouraged all parties to fully commit to the implementation of the ARCSS, and in particular to focus on securityi sector reforms in order to build a Republican army to guarantee the safety and security of South Sudan and its people.
7. Encouraged South Sudan to work towards building an encompassing political process determined through a credible election, where all South Sudanese have an opportunity to determine their leaders and hold them to account.
8. Reaffirmed the continued and collective engagement of IGAD Member States in the search of lasting peace, security and stability of South Sudan; and in this regard, committed to the revitalization of Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission. Further, called upon all parties to fully cooperate with the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) and not impede the movement of the Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangement Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM).
ISSUED IN NAIROBI
25th March 2017
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