The IGAD Heads of State have resolved to compel South Sudan President, Salva Kiir and rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar to a round table again.
The extraordinary summit of the assembly of IGAD Heads of State held on Monday in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa decided that the two warring parties should immediately iron out their differences to realise peace in their country.
Presidents Museveni of Uganda, Omar al- Bashir of Sudan and Ethiopian Prime Minister, Haillemariam Dessalegn want the 2015 peace agreement terms to be restored.
“IGAD Heads of State Summit has resolved to urgently convene a High level Revitalization Forum of the parties to the Agreement of Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan including estranged groups to discuss concrete measures, to restore permanent ceasefire, to full implementation of the Peace Agreement,” part of the statement released by the IGAD Secretariat said.
During the signing of the 2015 agreement, Kiir and Machar agreed to form a government of national unity and implement a permanent cease fire.
The Transitional Government of National Unity however collapsed when the forces of the two principals clashed at the presidential palace, leading to the death of 300 people, mainly the elite protection guards.
The Summit also resolved to develop a “revised and realistic timeline and implementation schedule towards a democratic election at the end of the transition period.”
The 2015 agreement stipulates that national elections are supposed be held three years before expiry of the unity government.
Foreign Affairs Ministers of member states have been directed to meet and start the process.
“IGAD Council of Ministers is mandated to urgently convene and facilitate this forum in collaboration with relevant stakeholders and directs the Chairperson of Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Committee and the Executive Secretary of IGAD to provide the necessary secretariat and logistical arrangements,” the statement adds.