THE Nigeria led AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) has pledged to take necessary measures to ensure sustainable peace is achieved in South Sudan, Africa’s youngest independent country.

The information is in a statement by the Embassy and Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the AU, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Sunday in Abuja.

The statement noted that the pledge was made by Bankole Adeoye, the AU-PSC Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the AU on Sunday in Juba at the beginning of a five-day Field Mission by the Council to South Sudan.

The embassy stated that Bankole, who led the field mission, stressed that sustainable peace was a key agenda of the Peace and Security Council for the month of April 2018 under the Chairmanship of Nigeria.

The embassy said that the field mission was in the context of expressing solidarity and support of the African Union toward finding lasting peace in South Sudan.

It added that “South Sudanese armed conflict entered its fifth year with dire humanitarian and security challenges.

“The PSC ambassadors and permanent representatives will, therefore, pay special attention to adequate response and solutions to the humanitarian situation in South Sudan.

“South Sudan is where estimated millions of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees in neighbouring countries are in urgent need of life-saving assistance.

“The PSC led by Nigeria will endeavor to find solutions to the political and unfolding economic challenges, while engaging the government and opposition parties along with the civil society.”

The embassy stated that the PSC expected to call on all parties to adhere to the provisions of the cessation of hostilities agreement signed on Dec. 21, 2017 in Addis Ababa and witnessed by Nigeria and other member states on the AU High Level Ad Hoc Committee on South Sudan.

According to it, the mission will further take stock of the outcome of the two phases of Inter-Governmental Authourity on Development (IGAD) led High Level Revitalisation Forum under the auspices of regional economic community so far held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in December 2017 and February 2018.

It added that “PSC is expected to uniformly voice support for the IGAD peace process.

“While in Juba and other parts of South Sudan, PSC will assess challenges facing the implementation of the Agreement for the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan through direct engagement with South Sudanese parties and stakeholders.

“The PSC will further deliver strong and urgent message to the government of South Sudan on the imperative to accelerate the implementation of the Peace Agreement.”

It stated that the PSC would reiterate the need for all parties to the conflict to take advantage of the High Level Revitalisation Forum as it remained the last chance for peace in the East African country.

It stated that visiting council members hope to engage the government of South Sudan at the highest political level to finalise institutional arrangements for the establishment of Hybrid Court. (NAN)

– Apr. 16, 2018 @ 11:43 GMT

AE