‘Address Machar’s status so he can move freely’, Troika tells IGAD
South Sudan’s main armed opposition leader, Dr. Riek Machar Teny (Photo: Supplied)
Dec 4th, 2019 (SSNN)-The Troika countries, (the United States, the UK and Norway) in a joint statement at the 13th Ordinary Summit of IGAD Heads of State & Government, held recently – called on IGAD to ensure immediate release of South Sudan’s opposition leader, Dr. Riek Machar Teny from long-term house arrest, so he can move freely and participate in the peace process without any restrictions.
Meanwhile, the Troika countries requests the East African regional body, IGAD to appoint a permanent Chairperson to head the Revitalized Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), a body charged with overseeing the implementation of the peace agreement.
“We look to IGAD to further strengthen its oversight of implementation, including through the development of clear benchmarks. We also find it appropriate, in this context, to call on IGAD to appoint a new R-JMEC Chair and to address the issue of Dr. Riek Machar’s status so he can travel freely and fully participate in the peace process. We look forward to continuing to work in partnership with IGAD on moving the peace process into the next phase,” said the Troika countries.
The Troika called on all parties, including holdout groups to take advantage of the extended pre-transitional period to join the peace process and take further steps in the implementation of the peace deal.
“We urge the South Sudanese parties to the conflict, including the non-signatories, to use this time wisely to come together and make the required progress on the most critical issues. There can and will be progress if parties show a new willingness to compromise and find pragmatic solutions,” the Troika added.
South Sudan’s main armed opposition leader, Dr. Riek Machar has been under house arrest since last year.
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