The African Union welcomes the signing of the agreement to resolve the crisis in South Sudan: the AU looks forwards to the timely and effective implementation of the agreement

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia, May 12, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, welcomes the signing of the “Agreement to Resolve the Crisis in South Sudan” by President Salva Kiir Mayardit of the Republic of South Sudan and Dr. Riek Machar Teny, Chairman of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) in Opposition, in Addis Ababa on 9 May 2014, under the auspices of Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn of Ethiopia, Chair of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). The Chairperson of the Commission was represented at the signing ceremony by the Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambasador Smail Chergui. In the statement he made on this occasion, the Commissioner expressed AU's firm belief that the full implementation of the Agreement would significantly contribute to the restoration of peace, security and stability in the country.

The Chairperson of the Commission stresses the importance of the commitments made by the two leaders, notably ending the fighting immediately and facilitating the full deployment of the IGAD-led Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (MVM), ensuring humanitarian access, commencing substantive discussions on the agenda of the negotiations as proposed by the IGAD, promoting an inclusive process and full cooperation with the AU Commission of Inquiry. She also welcomes the recognition by the Parties that a transitional Government of National Unity will offer the best chance for the people of South Sudan to move the country forward.

The Chairperson of the Commission commends President Salva Kiir and Dr. Machar for having agreed on these critical steps. She calls on them to demonstrate the same commitment and leadership in the implementation phase, in order to end the untold suffering being visited upon their people and put their country on the path to durable peace, reconciliation and recovery.

The Chairperson of the Commission pays tribute to Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn and the IGAD Special Envoys for having facilitated the signing of the Agreement and for their tireless efforts and dedication. She is also grateful to the international partners involved in the process for their contribution. She calls on the United Nations to extend all the necessary support for the deployment of the planned IGAD Task Force and to expedite the efforts being made to this end.