
Sudan: Joint Communique – “Finalization of a plan for the voluntary repatriation of 20,000 Sudanese refugees” (26.01.2018)






The Council of Ministers of IGAD (Council of Ministers) have received reports from Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM) that there have been violations of the 21 December 2017 Agreement on Cessation and Hostilities, Protection of Civilians and Humanitarian Access (ACOH) since its entry into force on 24 December 2017. CTSAMM has also submitted two very disturbing reports about the issues of Sexual and Gender Base Violence (SGBV) and Child Soldiers, which were the result of long-term investigations.
It is deplorable that the conduct of the Parties amounts to not only a failure to comply with the Articles of the ACOH, but also serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian laws. These violations have been perpetrated by the SPLA-IG and SPLA-IO (RM) and SPLA-IO (TD) against their own people, and include the killings of civilians, inflicting serious mental and physical injuries on people, rape, sexual violence and looting.
A CTSAMM report indicates that between February and December, 2017 a large number of Sexual and Gender Based Violations were committed by uniformed members of Government security forces in the Juba area including gang rape. These cases are verified, and represent only a proportion of the crimes committed, as many incidents go unreported due to fear of reprisals and shame. It is deplorable that military personnel can carry out such acts, and the Council of Ministers calls on the Government of South Sudan to take immediate action to bring the perpetrators to justice, and report on their progress in this respect within one month of the publication of this statement.
The continued employment of Child Soldiers by the Parties is of great concern to the Council of Ministers. CTSAMM has verified the existence of Child Soldiers in the Republic of South Sudan. The Council of Ministers calls on CTSAMM to continue to monitor this. The Council of Ministers understands from CTSAMM that recent reports from the field indicate the use of Child Soldiers by both the SPLA-IG and SPLA-IO (RM) in the Yei area, and by the SPLA-IO (TD) in several other areas of the country. The Council of Ministers urges these Parties to take immediate action to demobilize all Child Soldiers and return them to their homes. The Council of Ministers calls upon CTSAMM to investigate and report on these cases as a matter of urgency.
The Council of Ministers was deeply distressed by the attack on Koch by SPLA-IO (RM) forces on 24 December 2017 – the day the ACOH was to enter into force. It is a tragedy that 15 civilians (including 3 children) lost their lives in this senseless action which is a clear violation of the ACOH and International Law. The Council of Ministers condemns this attack, and urges the SPLA-IO (RM) to cooperate with CTSAMM to further investigate the incident in order that those responsible can be held accountable. The Council of Ministers urges the SPLA-IO (RM) to provide this information of the responsible individual(s)/group(s) to CTSAMM within one month from the publication of this statement.
The reports provided by CTSAMM indicate a high level of tension in areas of Central Equatoria. The Council of Ministers calls on the SPLA-IG and the SPLA-IO (RM) to reduce the tension by complying with all provisions of the ACOH in these areas.
In Western Equatoria CTSAMM found that SPLA-IG forces had carried out unauthorized movement in the area south of Mundri, stealing properties from civilians in the Bangolo area. Reports indicate that this movement led to a clash with SPLA-IO (RM) forces which has yet to be verified, but the very fact of the movement goes against the ACOH and these parties shall freeze all troops in place. Unauthorized movement and patrolling are prohibited acts. The Council of Ministers calls on the SPLA-IG to ensure that all its forces fully comply with the ACOH.
CTSAMM reports on alleged violations in the Leer and Rubkuay areas of Unity State indicate a high level of tension that could very easily break out into yet more violence. SPLA-IG has threatened to re-take Rubkuay unless it is vacated by the SPLA-IO (RM) and this is in itself a clear violation of the ACOH Article 3 sub article 2(i). The Council urges the SPLA-IG to keep their troops frozen in place and not to carry out any offensive military operations.
CTSAMM also reports that there is limited free movement in the area due to road blocks and checkpoints. This is a violation of Article 10(f) of the ACOH. The Council urges the SPLM-IO (RM) and SPLA-IG to allow free movement of civilians and unhindered humanitarian access. The two Parties must ease tension in the area and immediately disengage their troops in close contact as they are obliged to do under the ACOH. The Council of Ministers directs CTSAMM to monitor the situation and report back.
The IGAD Council of Ministers has noted that the SPLA-IG and SPLM- IO Parties have violated articles 2(1, 2, 4 and 5), article 3(1, 2(f and g)), article 3 (2 ( f, g and i), 4 and 5)), article 3(3, 4 and 5), article 5(1, 2 (a and b), article 6(a, b,c, e, and i), article 10 (a) and Article 13 of the ACOH. These continued violations by the Parties undermine the intent and purpose of the ACOH which is to bring peace and stability to South Sudan. The IGAD Council of Ministers is dismayed to learn that some Parties to the ACOH who seem to ignore not only the letter but also the spirit of the ACOH. The people of South Sudan have suffered enough and need peace and stability.
The IGAD Council of Ministers expresses its sincere condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones and suffered the worst types of abuse as a result of the senseless conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. The Council of Ministers commends those Parties and individuals who have shouldered their responsibilities under the ACOH and are working hard to see it implemented.
The IGAD Council of Ministers urges all parties in South Sudan to immediately and fully comply with the ACOH and fully observe their obligations. The Parties are called on to acknowledge the occurrence of violations, including but not limited to resumption of hostilities in various forms, killings, sexual violence, recruitment and deployment of child soldiers, and looting. The Parties are urged to provide full and unhindered access to the areas they control for CTSAMM and fully cooperate in the investigation process. The Parties must understand the CTSAMM reports highlight important issues that require them to take action in order to stop violations taking place, and to ensure that they do not reoccur.
The Council calls on CTSAMM to continue with its mandate to monitor and investigate the situation in the Republic of South Sudan. The Council of Ministers calls the International Community to support the efforts of CTSAMM in a manner that helps alleviate financial and other impediments in full-filing its mandate.
Finally, the IGAD Council of Ministers emphasizes that the reports submitted by CTSAMM since the signing of the ACOH do not indicate that the ACOH has not been violated elsewhere. In fact CTSAMM is currently following up reports and undertaking investigations in Upper Nile, Jonglei, Unity State, Greater Bahr el Ghazal and Greater Equatoria to verify and determine if ACOH is not complied with.
The Council of Ministers also reaffirms its full commitment to take appropriate action against those violating the ACOH. The Council of Ministers demands all Parties who have reportedly violated the ACOH to undertake their own investigation and submit to CTSAMM a full report including the names of those officers responsible. The Council of Ministers expects these reports to be submitted within one month from the publication of this statement, and makes it known to all that it will take any appropriate action in the case of non-compliance.
Done on the 25th day of the month of January 2018.

Keeping animals alive and healthy is vital to combat hunger – Donor appeal.
JUBA, South Sudan, January 24, 2018 – The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is seeking $7.5 million to roll out a critically needed emergency livestock vaccination campaign in South Sudan.
FAO aims to protect nearly 9 million animals (30 percent of the country’s livestock) – scaling up from 6 million in 2017 – to combat increasingly frequent outbreaks of animal diseases. To date, FAO has only a quarter of the funds it needs ($2.5 million out of $10 million).
Keeping animals alive and healthy is vital in a country where most of the population relies on livestock for their very survival, and half of the population is grappling with acute hunger.
“In most parts of the country, FAO and its partners are the main provider of vaccinations. We are trying to reach as many animals as possible now. If we wait for two more months, the rains will start taking over; half of the country will soon be completely cut off or extremely difficult to access, and a huge number of animals risk being trapped in an impossible situation,” said Serge Tissot, FAO Representative in South Sudan.
“We vaccinated 300,000 animals so far against prevalent diseases such as black quarter, haemorrhagic septicaemia and anthrax, in Aweil state, in the north-west of the country. Famers there told us that their cattle have been sick for months, and we reached them just in time to check the situation, provide necessary heath care and start vaccinations to protect their livestock against major diseases. Yet, unless more funds come in, we are unable to reach other farmers facing the same fears – losing their livelihoods,” added Tissot.
“When my animal got sick, I used some herbs from the bush because there are no drugs in this area. But this didn’t help. The animal lost weight and its coat doesn’t look ok. Now it has stopped eating. I’m afraid it will soon die,” said Kiir Mawein, a cattle keeper from Aweil.
People in rural areas are forced to feed herbs to their sick animals or to go into the nearest town – often a trip of several days on foot – only to find out that there are no veterinary drugs, or that they are too expensive.
The $7.5 million that FAO still requires would not only cover vaccination costs but would also build three new cold chain hubs in remote areas. This would help to address some major setbacks when it comes to delivering animal health care services and medicines in South Sudan: distance, hot climate (average temperature is 30°C, up to 45°C during the hottest months), lack of infrastructure and health services.
“For people in South Sudan, cattle means life. They “chase away hunger”, as farmers put it. They don’t only provide an important source of nutritious food, but also act as a safety net; when faced with an emergency, farmers can turn to selling one of their animals to cover other urgent needs,” added Tissot.
To build resilience and ensure a better delivery of animal health care services, FAO has set up a network of community-based animal health workers.
To date, 1,000 community-based animal health workers have been trained and are carrying-out routine check-ups and vaccinating livestock as part of FAO’s Emergency Livestock Response Programme.
Supporting a sustainable community-based animal health workers’ system has significantly contributed to delivering adequate animal health care as well as preventive and emergency vaccination campaigns.
In 2018, FAO aims to train an additional 1,000 community-based animal health workers to spread the reach of veterinary services. FAO also continues to work with women groups to reinforce small-scale businesses – supplying and selling animal products like milk and other milk products.
FAO’s work in South Sudan is possible thanks to support from: USA, European Union, Denmark, Canada, Japan, Norway, World Bank, UK, Switzerland, the Netherlands, South Sudan Humanitarian Fund and Kuwait.

As part of the continuous engagement with stakeholders of the High-Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) on South Sudan, State Minister Hirut Zemene and IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, Ambassador Ismail Wais briefed members of the IGAD Partners Forum (IPF) on Monday (January 22).
During the briefing session, Co-Chairs of the meeting State Minister Hirut and Ambassador Wais have given particular emphasis on two major issues. They have, primarily, pointed out that despite violations, the signing of Cessation of Hostilities, Protection of Civilians, and Humanitarian Access in Addis Ababa on December 21st was pivotal to ensure stability in the country. Co-Chairs noted violators would be singled out and be accountable.
The Co-Chairs have praised the AU Commission, the IGAD Special Envoy for the Republic of South Sudan, the IGAD Partners Forum, the High-Level Co-Facilitators of the HLRF, the AU High-Level ad-hoc Committee, JMEC, the UN, the Troika and the International Community, who have tirelessly worked to ensure the signing of the Agreement ahead of the expected time.
The second point the Co-Chairs raised was that those few violations will not undermine the next phase of the HLRF scheduled to be held on the 5th of February, 2018.
Praising the efforts being exerted by the IGAD towards ensuring a long-lasting peace in South Sudan, Members of the IPF have with one voice pledged their continued support to the Revitalization Process.



