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The Secretary-General condemns the killing of a peacekeeper from Pakistan deployed with the United Nations Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) following an ambush by members of an armed group today near Lulimba, 96 km south west of Baraka, in South Kivu Province. At least one other peacekeeper was wounded in the attack.
The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and to the people and government of Pakistan. He wishes a speedy recovery to the injured and calls on those responsible for this attack to be brought to justice.
The Secretary-General reiterates his call on armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to lay down their arms and seek to resolve their grievances peacefully. He reaffirms the readiness of MONUSCO and the United Nations system to continue working with the authorities of the DRC to help address the security challenges facing the country.


The IGAD Council of Ministers held its 60TH Extra-Ordinary Session on January 27, 2018 in Addis Ababa under the chairmanship of H.E. Workneh Gebeyehu, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers. The session was attended by H.E. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Djibouti; H.E. Amina Mohamed Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade of the Republic Kenya; H.E Ambassador Ahmed Isse Awad, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Somalia; H.E Dr. Matin Elia Lomuro, Minister of Cabinet Affairs of the Republic of South Sudan; H.E. Professor Ibrahim Ghandour, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Sudan;H.E. Sam Kutesa, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uganda; and; H.E Hirut Zemene, State Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
H.E. Festus Mogae, Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC); H.E. Mahboub Maalim, IGAD Executive Secretary and H.E. Ismail Wais,IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan were also in attendance.
The Special Envoys of the AU, UN, EU and Troika (Norway, UK, US) as well as representatives of China, Co-Chairperson of the IGAD Partners Forum (IPF) were also present at the meeting and made statements at the opening session.
After listening to the Progress Report of the IGAD Special Envoy on the steps taken to date on the Implementation of the outcomes of the first phase of the High Level revitalization Forum (HLRF)of the ARCSS, preparations to convene the second phase of the High-Level Revitalization Forum of the ARCSS and following exchange of views on the matter;
The Council;
Takes note with appreciation the reports by the Chairperson of JMEC, H.E Festus Mogae and the report of the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan and endorses the recommendations therein.
Welcomes the progress made so far in the implementation of the High Level Revitalization of the ARCSS and in particular the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement on December 21, 2017.
Notes the achievements gained so far and the preparations put in place to convene the second phase of the High-Level Revitalization Forum and commends the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan and his task force for a job well done and while affirming the Council’s full support and commitment, encourages the Special Envoy to continue with his efforts, in collaboration with the partners until the process of the revitalization is completed in the shortest time possible.
Expresses its profound appreciation for the solidarity and firm commitment manifested by the AU, UN, Troika (Norway, UK, US) IPF, EU, and China to the process initiated by the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government in June 2017 to Revitalize the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCSS), and calls upon the partners to continue and enhance their political support, financialand otherassistance to the IGAD initiative.
Express its full support for the commendable task that CTSAMM has embarked upon based on its renewed mandate under the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and fully endorses the reports of violation incidents that CTSAMM has submitted to the IGAD Council of Ministers.
Condemns in the strongest terms the violators of the Agreement on the CoH of December last year and similar prior agreements, and holds them accountable for the loss of lives and human rights violations that they continue to cause in many parts of South Sudan and calls upon CTSAMM to proceed with urgency and carryout further investigations, identify individual violators and parties of the CoH Agreement based on which Council will take all necessary measure including targeted sanctions against individual violators and spoilerssuch as travel ban, asset freeze and recommend to the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to carry out further targeted sanctions and other punitive measureson parties and individuals as appropriate.
Expresses its concern at the pronouncements made by high level government officials of the Transitional Government of the National UnitySouth Sudan and SPLM-IO (RM) against the letter and spirit of the CoH agreement and issued unwarranted attacks againstCTSAMM only because it issued reports on violations as per its mandate. Further reminded that CTSAMM was created by IGADto assist the implementation of the ARCSS. Council expresses its resolve that such acts shall not continue with impunity and individuals and groups shall bear consequences for their action of violation of the CoH Agreement Encourages the parties to cooperate with CTSAMM.
Notes with deep regret that in spite of the continuing efforts by IGAD, AU, and UN as well as the international partners, the people of South Sudan continue to suffer mainly because of the on-going violence and insecurity that has causedlarge scale famine and displacement of millions of the South Sudanese. In this connection Council welcomes the decision reached at the trilateral consultation convened the same day between the Chairperson of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government, the Chairperson of the AUC, and the Secretary General of the UN that has affirmed the determination of the three organizations to work closely together to inter-alia support punitive measures against any South Sudanese party that fails to perform its obligation and violates the political settlement that emerges from the HLRF.
Approves that the second phase of the HLRF convenes on February 5 to 16, 2018 in Addis Ababa between the parties to the ARCSS, delegates representing the government, political parties and oppositions including estranged groups and Civil Society organizations to engage in good faith in the spirit of compromise, putting the interest of their people and the nation first, discuss concrete measures to restore permanent ceasefire; full and inclusive implementation of the ARCSS; and develop a revised and realistic timeline and implementation schedule towards a democratic election at the end of the transition period.
Affirms its resolve to speak with one voice and render all necessary support
to the people of South Sudan in their effort to restore peace in South Sudan through full and timely implementation of a revitalized ARCSS and in this connection underlines its conviction that the ARCSS remains the only viable option to attain peace in South Sudan.
Decides to remain fully seized of the situation in South Sudan and will redouble its effort towards the success of the High-Level Revitalization Forum.
Done in Addis Ababa, on January 27, 2018


There was scheduled Presidential Elections in November 2016, as the end of the second official term of President Joseph Kabila would end on the 19th December 2016. However, we are in January 2018 and days away from February 2018. Still, there are no credible movement or changes within the leadership or the government to prepare for a genuine exercise of a new election. It’s unlikely that CENI will deliver, not matter sort of international pressure. That is proven by the first Press Conference in ages or years from the President himself who said this:
““The election budget is 1.2 billion dollars, and I say it quite often, the elections in this country are starting to cost us a lot more than even the development of the country. And at some point we will have to make a choice, will it be necessary to be cited around the world as the most democratic country, or is the development that counts?” he said” (…) “Today, we are nearing the end of enlistment operations in Kasai. We are more or less 46 million voters enlisted. The elections in this country is a vast operation,” said Joseph Kabila” (…) ““We must take the most courageous options and decisions not to fall or fall back into the situation with a budget of 1.2 billion for elections, while we have a total budget of 6 or 7 billions,” added the Congolese president” (Xuequan, 2018).
What is striking that he is using the defense of budget and funds. While his own Republic who had scheduled this ever since he won in November 2011. Could have planned funds ahead for a coming election. If they are a serious government and if it is such a big operations, why did the Kabila government plan it earlier?
A thing that the President should be careful about, is that United Kingdom has already spent funds on Electoral Operations and Electoral Organizations in the years ahead of the 2016 and still supports it with funding. This they do together with United States Aid (USAID). The Development tracker proves that the UK has already donated £6,6m in April 2015 to technical support to the National Electoral Body (CENI), from the same donors £3,5m in April 2015 to civic education, also in April 2015 gotten £2,5m to Election Observers through the Carter Center. In October 2016, the UK donated to promote woman participation in the Election a total of £1m. The DFID has already also pledged for supporting the Electoral Process in total £14,5m. This is just from one Nation to another. That is funds that is already spent and misused. While he is crying foul.
President Kabila should be careful playing with fire, especially since he is creating insecurity with his position. That someone is speaking of delaying election into April 2019. There was already rumored in August 2017 that it would either be in 2019 or 2020. So it is not to far off, after the new timeline was released in November 2017. That was a year after the term ended. Still, there was no international outcry, neither was anyone really supporting the CENCO initiative or trying to force Kabila out.
Kabila has been allowed to stall for time, to buy time and awaiting his next move. Since he didn’t change the Constitution like many other clinging to power Presidents. That was one of his foolish moves, since he really doesn’t want to step and give way for a legitimate President in the Republic. His term already ended 434 days ago or 1 year two months and 8 days ago.
So the saga continues and the postponed election will continue. If it is insecurity or lacking of funds continue. He will use that for his own gain, as reasons not to step down. That if there is coming militias or militants from Burundi, Rwanda or Uganda. While refugees are fleeing from the Republic to Uganda and Angola. Because of the insecurity in North and South Kivu’s, also in Kasai Province. This has not let go.
So I don’t expect any election in 2019 or following the timeline of November 2017. The CENI or Kabila administration has no plan to achieve a new Presidential Election, where Kabila has to step-down. I don’t expect a President who has already registered himself twice for the elections. That he uses expenses and that its a big operation as an excuse. Shows that since he first talked about it now, that he wants to make sure the world knows he is struggling. Even if he could have planned it together with CENI all through 2014 to 2016. Where the timeline could have been met and also fixed the succession. However, President Kabila had no interest of securing his own self leaving power. Therefore, nothing has happen.
Now he has extended his time and showed up in public for a press conference after using brutality and killing demonstrators. Had to show the world he cared and was working on solution. Even if he isn’t, it’s hard to believe he is doing anything when he is already 1 year and 2 months over his ended term. So the ones who has supported the DRC with financial aid between 2015 to 2017 for purpose of Elections, you have been tricked and given money for nothing. That is proven.
Kabila is stalling and using all tricks in the book. Expect Kabila to have more trouble with militias and insecurity, as he is the only key to stop the violence. Even if he initially sponsor it or has connections to the ones who make sure it happens. That is what is very ill about the whole situation. Peace.
Reference:
Xuequan, Mu – ‘ DR Congo: President Kabila calls on politicians to choose between elections and development’ (27.01.2018) link: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2018-01/27/c_136927896.htm
