IGAD Summit passes a 19-point decision including a call for immediate cessation of hostilities

State House Uganda - News President Museveni is hailed by counterparts for securing critical infrastructure and installations of the Republic of South Sudan, IGAD Summit passes a 19-point decision including a call for immediate cessation of hostilities - to consider other measures should hostilities not cease within 4 days

The IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government held its 23rd Extraordinary Summit in Nairobi, Kenya on 27th of December 2013, under the Chairmanship of H.E.Hailemariam Desalegn, the Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia to discuss the situation in the Republic of South Sudan.

The Assembly was attended by H.E. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni; H.E Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of the Republicof Djibouti; H. E. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya; H.E. Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia; H.E. Bakri Hassan Saleh,First Vice President of the Republic of the Sudan; and H.E Dr. Barnaba MarialBenjamin, Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of South Sudan.

The Assembly was also attended by Ambassador (Eng.) Mahboub Maalim, the Executive Secretary of IGAD and Ambassador Erastus Mwencha, the Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission.

The Summit received a briefing from the President of the Republic of Uganda on hiscountry’s efforts in securing critical infrastructure and installations in the Republic of South Sudan as well as in evacuating its citizens.

The Summit further received a briefing from the Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, H.E. Tedros Adhanom on the emergency three-day visit to Juba, Republic of South Sudan by the IGAD Council of Ministers on 19th December 2013.

After a half-day of deliberations, the summit passed a 19-point decision including a call for immediate cessation of hostilities as well as a call for urgent measures in pursuit of an all inclusive dialogue including reviewing the status of the detainees in recognition of their role in finding a peaceful solution to the political crisis.

The Summit also made a strong call for face-to-face talks by all stake-holders to be held by the 31st of December 2013.

According to the Summit's communique, if hostilities do not cease within 4 days, further measures will be considered by the Summit.

The Summit appraised and commended the report of the IGAD council of Ministers emergency visit of 19th December 2013 and discussions with President Salva Kiir Mayardit. In that regard the Summit called upon Dr. Riek Machar and other parties to make similar commitments.

The 23rd Extra-Ordinary IGAD Summit Communique:

1. Recalling the hope for freedom, justice and prosperity that the people of theRepublic of South Sudan expressed with joy on 9th July 2011 on occasion of the independence of the Republic of South Sudan

2. Cognizant of the peace, security and development that has been achieved in theRepublic of South Sudan since independence in the midst of various challenges

3. Noting with satisfaction the positive development between the brotherlycountries of the Republic of South Sudan and the Republic of Sudan and in thatregard, commend H.E. President Omar Al-Bashir and H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit for their tireless efforts in bringing peace, security and prosperity to theirtwo peoples.

4. Concerned by the unfortunate events that took place on the 15th of December 2013 and the subsequent escalation of the conflict and deterioration of thehumanitarian situation;

5. Further Concerned about the reported widespread atrocities, deaths anddisplacement of civilian population;

6. Expressing their solidarity with the people of South Sudan at this hour of distress and tribulation;

7. Condemns all unconstitutional actions to challenge the constitutional order,democracy and the rule of law and in particularly condemns changing thedemocratic government of the Republic of South Sudan through use of force

8. Further Condemns the violent escalation of conflict in South Sudan and calls onall parties to refrain from steps that will inflame the conflict further particularlyalong ethnic and sectarian lines and particularly strongly condemns thebankrupt and opportunistic ideology of ethnic and religious sectarianism

9. Calls on all humanitarian actors to act quickly and provide all necessaryassistance to all civilians and specifically calls on the government of SouthSudan and all armed groups to open humanitarian corridors and ensureprotection of civilian population;

10. Notes with satisfaction the IGAD Council of Ministers emergency visit of 19December 2013 and the discussions with President Salva Kiir Mayardit and otherstakeholders;

11. Commends the expressed commitment of both sides to engage in dialogue and reiterates the imperative of an immediate pursuit of a political solution includingan all inclusive dialogue among all stakeholders concerned;

12. Commends the UN Security Council Resolution 2132 of 2013 which notes as aprudent and timely move to complement ongoing political efforts in alleviating thedeteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the country.

13. Commends the effort of the Republic of Uganda in securing critical infrastructureand installations in South Sudan and pledges its support to these effort;

14. Reaffirms the strong commitment of IGAD countries to assist in the pursuit of a speedy political solution to the crisis;

15. Made the following decisions:

Stakeholders in the Republic of South Sudan:

Welcomed the commitment by the Government of the Republic of SouthSudan on immediately beginning unconditional dialogue with allstakeholders;

Welcomed the commitment by the Government of the Republic of SouthSudan to an immediate cessation of hostilities and called upon Dr. RiekMachar and other parties to make similar commitments;

Determined that if hostilities do not cease within 4 days of this communiqué, the Summit will consider taking further measures;

Requested all parties to accept a monitoring, verification and stabilisationmechanism;

Undertake urgent measures in pursuit of an all inclusive dialogue including reviewing the status of the detainees in recognition of their role inaccordance with the laws of the Republic of South Sudan, and in creating a conducive environment for all stakeholders to participate and determines that face-to-face talks by all stakeholders in the conflict should occur by the 31st of December 2013;

Ensure the protection of civilians and humanitarian workers including those from neighbouring countries;

Strongly Condemns criminal acts of murder, sexual violence, looting and other criminal acts against civilians and unarmed combatants by any actor and demand that all involved be held responsible by their de-facto and orde jure leaders

Liaise with IGAD envoys and the Council of Ministers to support the process of dialogue and related political and technical reforms;

16.The United Nations, the African Union and the International Community to Support the IGAD process;

Ensure that humanitarian assistance is immediately delivered to all affected;

Support constitutional and other political reforms in South Sudan;

17. IGAD Member States:Direct the Council of Ministers to continue working with the Government of South Sudan and make contact with Dr. Riek Machar and other leaders critical to bringing about peace; and keep the Summit appraised;

Commit to monitor the safety of IGAD Member State citizens andcoordinate their evacuation as necessary.

Appoints General Lazaro Sumbeiywo of Kenya and Amb. Seyoum Mesfinof Ethiopia as our Special Envoys for South SudanAppoints Ambassador Mohamed Affey as IGAD Special Envoy to Somaliaand Ambassador Tewolde Gebremeskal as Director of Peace and Securityat the IGAD Secretariat;

Direct the IGAD Secretariat to avail its good offices in support of the above process;

18. Directs the IGAD Secretariat to transmit these decisions to the African Union Commission and the United Nations Security Council;

19. Decides to remain seized of these matters.Issued this 27th day of December 2013 at State House, Nairobi, Kenya