Joint Press Statement by African Union, Intergovernmental Authority on Development, United Nations on South Sudan

The African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the United Nations held a joint consultative meeting on South Sudan on 29 January on the margins of the African Union twenty-eighth Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government in Addis Ababa.

The meeting, chaired by Hailemariam Desalegn, Prime Minister of Ethiopia and Chairperson of IGAD, was also attended by Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Chairperson of the African Union Commission; and António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.  The African Union High Representative for South Sudan, former President Alpha Oumar Konaré, and the Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, former President Festus Mogae, briefed the meeting.

Also in attendance were the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, the Executive Secretary of IGAD, the African Union Commissioner for Peace and Security, and other senior officials of the three organizations.

The African Union, IGAD and United Nations, expressed their deep concerns over the continuing spread of fighting and risk of intercommunal violence escalating into mass atrocities, and the dire humanitarian situation in South Sudan.  The African Union, IGAD and United Nations reaffirmed their continued and collective commitment in the search for lasting peace, security and stability in the country.  They further stated that there can only be a political solution to the conflict, within the framework of the 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.  The African Union, IGAD and United Nations reiterated their call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged the parties to ensure inclusivity of the political process, both in the proposed National Dialogue and in the implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.

The African Union, IGAD and United Nations commended the important work performed by the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission Chairperson and encouraged the African Union High Representative for South Sudan to undertake active shuttle diplomacy towards ensuring the inclusivity of the National Dialogue and the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan implementation, in close consultation with the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission Chairperson, the United Nations and IGAD.  The African Union, IGAD and the United Nations reaffirmed their commitment and determination to further enhance their cooperation in support of the South Sudan peace process.