IGAD Envoy: South Sudan parties mull ‘constructive adjustments’ to peace process timelines due to COVID-19 pandemic

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) says the COVID-19 pandemic may affect the timelines in the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement and adds that the mediators are working with the parties to minimize the impact of the pandemic on the peace process.  

 

IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan, Ambassador Ismail Wais acknowledges that the restrictions and interruption of activities in South Sudan and regionally will delay critical tasks, and says the parties are making plans with the mediators to ensure the tasks are completed once the pandemic is over.  

 

“We don’t hope for the worst, but we expect that there might be some changes,” the Ambassador said, adding that “the parties are coordinating at the highest level to come up with constructive suggestions on possible adjustments.” 

  

On the training of the necessary unified forces, Ambassador Wais said training will resume as soon as the government relaxes restrictions imposed due the COVID -19 Pandemic.  The suspension of the training was a unanimous decision by the parties last month to avoid the spread of the coronavirus in the training camps. 

 

Meanwhile, finance ministers of the IGAD regional grouping have committed to contribute to an emergency fund to support member states deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.  

 

The Ministers held a virtual meeting chaired by IGAD Executive Secretary Dr Workneh Gebeyehu and adopted a call for action to take steps to minimize disruption of ‘livelihoods, social and economic security’ for the 270 million people of the region.

 

Special Envoy, Ambassador Ismail Wais spoke to Radio Miraya in this interview.