Heads of CEWARN’s national conflict Early Warning and Response Units (CEWERUs) from all IGAD Member States are taking a refresher training on conflict early warning in Romania from 9-13 June 2014.

A multi-stakeholder symposium to initiate an inclusive phase of the South Sudan peace process that was held on 6-7 June 2014 at the UNECA premises in Addis Ababa was concluded successfully.  More than 250 South Sudanese representing the government, the opposition, political parties, faith-based groups and civil society organizations participated in the event.

During the symposium, renowned international experts offered overview presentations in key thematic areas, including: transitional governance arrangements and interim institutions; justice, reconciliation and healing; security arrangements; and constitutional development and reform. Later, participants informally explored and discussed the issues with the subject matter experts, in order to further advance their understanding and concept of the issues.

The third session of Phase II of the South Sudan Peace Talks on political dialogue for National Reconciliation and Healing that commenced on April 28, 2014 adjourns today, 14 May 2014, for twelve days. During the recess, the IGAD Special Envoys will undertake shuttle mission to South Sudan to consult with different stakeholders. The next phase of the mediation process shall commence on the June 4, 2014.

H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit, the President of the Government of the Republic of South Sudan and Dr. Riek Machar, Former Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan and leader of the SPLM/A (In opposition), met in Addis Ababa today and signed a landmark agreement to immediately end the conflict in the country.

The meeting that was facilitated by H.E Hailemariam Dessalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and Chairperson of the IGAD Assembly was the first face–to-face meeting between the two principals since the outbreak of the conflict in South Sudan on 15 December 2014.

The IGAD Special Envoys to the South Sudan Mediation Process announce that H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan (RSS) and Dr. Riek Machar, Former Vice President of the RSS are set to meet in Addis Ababa on Friday, May 9th 2014, in accordance with the invitation extended by H.E Hailemariam Dessalegn, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and current Chairperson of the IGAD Assembly.

The Special Envoys expect that this critical meeting will help end the violence and killings in South Sudan and provide the necessary impetus to the ongoing IGAD-led Mediation Process towards an inclusive and lasting political solution to the crisis.

Refer to full text of the Press Release for more information

The Government of the Republic of South Sudan (GRSS) and the SPLM/A (In opposition) signed a recommitment on Humanitarian matters in the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement on 5 May 2014 in Addis Ababa.

Refer to official version of signed document

Please read here

Please read the release here

The Joint Preparatory Committee for the SPLM Intra-Party Dialogue that convened from 23th – 26th April 2014 in Addis Ababa just issued a press statement. The meeting was facilitated by the African National Congress (ANC) and the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF).

The SPLM Leadership Review and Self-Assessment Forum was initiated within the framework of the IGAD-led Peace Process for South Sudan to address the underlying causes of the current crisis in South Sudan.

Read full text of the press release

CEWARN team holds informal consultations with national Conflict Early Warning and Response Units of Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Uganda on 3 June in Nairobi on the implementation of post-2012 CEWARN regional strategy.

The meeting formally introduced Mr. Richard Barno as the new Ag. Director of the CEWARN Secretariat in Addis Ababa and exchanged updates on steps undertaken by the national and regional units on the implementation of the post-2012 CEWARN strategy framework.

The consultation noted Kenya’s successful General Elections of 4 March 2013 and received a feedback by Kenyan national CEWERU Mr. Samuel K. Maina on support Kenyan Government received from CEWARN on the successful conduct of the elections.

Other meetings coming up this week include a mid-year planning session between CEWARN Unit and national CEWERUs from 4-5 June, a mechanism-wide Monitoring Evaluation workshop 6-7 June and the meeting of the Steering Committee of the Rapid Response Fund (RRF) on 8 June in Nairobi.