COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE

PRESS RELEASE

(For Immediate Publication)

01 June, 2017, Juba, South Sudan

JMEC: Civil Society voice critical for the realisation of peace in South Sudan

The role of the civil society organisations in the oversight and implementation of the Peace Agreement of South Sudan is critical, the Deputy Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission Amb. Gen Augostino Njoroge has said.

“As Civil Society, you are the bridge in your society. You are that public space between the state, the market and the ordinary households in which people can constructively debate and tackle all issues of public concern,” he said.

The Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS) the chairperson said, is the “foundation stone upon which sustainable peace can be built in this country”.

He was speaking yesterday during the closing ceremony of a two-day civil society orientation and advocacy-training workshop on the ARCSS organised for civil society representatives to the different Agreement institutions and mechanisms.

The workshop was organised in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

“A vibrant and constructive civil society voice is critical for the realisation of peace, promotion of good governance, democratisation and the rule of law everywhere in the world,” Amb. Njoroge said.

Participants included over 30 CSO members representing Women Bloc, Youth, CSOs and Faith based groups in JMEC, Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) board, Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) and others.

Amb. Njoroge said the sector players should vigorously agitate for a peaceful resolution of the conflict and be agents for national dialogue.

“The civil society must collectively and continuously be the social capital and a force for the good. The civil society must rally on a common goal, set better standards, and rise above all social, political and economic vices like tribalism, partisanship and corruption-to mention but a few,” he said.

ENDS