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SOUTH SUDAN / IGAD COUNCIL
STORY: SOUTH SUDAN / IGAD COUNCIL
TRT: 2:52
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH /NATS
DATELINE: 7 MAY 2019, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
1. Wide shot, meeting room
2. Wide shot, podium with banner
3. Med shot, delegates
4. Med shot, members of the civil society
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Nhial Deng, Minister of Foreign Affairs, South Sudan:
“It is critical that no stake-holder uses the extension of the pre-transitional period as a reason for renegotiation of any aspects of the agreement. The importance of refraining from the use of the extension of the pre-transitional period as an excuse to renegotiate provisions of the R-ARCSS (Revitilized - Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan), can hardly be over-emphasized. The arrangement we recently arrived at through a consensus, is solely an extension of the lifespan of the pre-transition and not the re-opening of the agreement, therefore, the parties that are signatory to the R-ARCSS must remain committed to the implementation of the R-ARCSS, as is.”
6. Wide shot, members of opposition
7. Med shot, delegates
8. SOUNDBITE (English) David Shearer, Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan:
“We have six months to reprieve. South Sudanese citizens breathed a sigh of relief on Friday. Let’s ensure that we use this time productively and take advantage of the opportunities and move smoothly into the transitional period.”
9. Med shot, Wais speaking
10. Wide shot, camera operator
11. SOUNDBITE (English) Ambassador Ismail Wais, IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan:
“In essence the very extension of the pre-transitional period for six months as proposed by the parties to the R-ARCSS, allows the pending critical transitional security arrangements to be completed. It also allows IBC (Independent Boundaries Commission) to decide on the number of boundaries of states and the restructuring and composition of the Council of States. The extension will further be instrumental in allowing parties to continue confidence building; encouraging more refugees and IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) to return; and allowing more time for mobilization of much needed resources.”
12. Cutaway, delegates
13. SOUNDBITE (English) Lars Andersen, Ambassador of Norway to South Sudan, and TROIKA Representative:
“In addition to making progress on key areas the top leadership of the parties, including President Salva Kiir and Dr, Riek Machar, need to meet and discuss frequently to build confidence and trust between themselves and to demonstrate to the South Sudanese and the international community that they are determined to solve all issues peacefully and that returning to war is no option.”
14. Cutaway, delegates
Speaking on the first day of the two-day 67 Extra-Ordinary session in South Sudan’s capital Juba, South Sudan’s Minister Foreign Affairs said the Unity government will be formed by November 12th without further delay. He added that the pre-transitional period extension of six months, which was agreed to by parties on May 3rd in Ethiopia’s capital Addis Ababa, should not be used as a chance to renegotiate the peace agreement signed in September 2018.
He also said “the agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan), can hardly be over-emphasized. The arrangement we recently arrived at through a consensus, is solely an extension of the lifespan of the pre-transition and not the re-opening of the agreement, therefore, the parties that are signatory to the R-ARCSS must remain committed to the implementation of the R-ARCSS, as is.”
The Head of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, David Shearer, speaking as a partner to the peace process, said it was time to deliver on the much-needed peace for South Sudanese who he said have had enough of conflict, adding that by agreeing to the six-month extension, parties had expressed commitment to peace.
Shearer said “let’s ensure that we use this time productively and take advantage of the opportunities and move smoothly into the transitional period.”
In his remarks, IGAD’s (Intergovernmental Authority on Development) special envoy for South Sudan said the extension for the Pre-Transitional period from 12th May 2019, was subject to approval by the sitting Council.
SOUNDBITE (English) Ambassador Ismail Wais, IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan:
“In essence the very extension of the pre-transitional period for six months as proposed by the parties to the R-ARCSS, allows the pending critical transitional security arrangements to be completed. It also allows IBC (Independent Boundaries Commission) to decide on the number of boundaries of states and the restructuring and composition of the Council of States. The extension will further be instrumental in – allowing parties to continue confidence building; encouraging more refugees and IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons) to return; and allowing more time for mobilization of much needed resources.”
Nowegian Ambassador to South Sudan speaking on behalf of TROIKA members (the United Kingdom, United States, and Norway) urged the parties to use the six months well, as further delay could be detrimental to the peace process.
SOUNDBITE (English) Lars Andersen, Nowegian Ambassador to South Sudan, and TROIKA representative
“In addition to making progress on key areas the top leadership of the parties, including President Salva Kiir and Dr, Riek Machar, need to meet and discuss frequently to build confidence and trust between themselves and to demonstrate to the South Sudanese and the international community that they are determined to solve all issues peacefully and that returning to war is no option.”
Several other speakers urged and encouraged the parties to South Sudan’s peace agreement, to remain focused on the peace process while ensuring political will, as this will allow various timelines of the implementation of the peace agreement like cantonment of forces, formation of a Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity to be realized.
The two-day meeting is expected to endorse a report to extend the Pre-Transitional period by six months.
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