IGAD to discuss South Sudan peace process

The 66th extraordinary session of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Council of Ministers gathered in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia   to discuss South Sudan peace process  following the peace agreement that was signed by Salva Kirr government and opposition leader Riek Machar, in September.

A statement from IGAD South Sudan office said on the agenda are the Implementation of the Revitalized Agreement of the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and progress in Somalia.

Uganda's delegation is led by Foreign Affairs Minister Sam Kutesa.

This will be the first meeting by IGAD leaders to discuss South Sudan peace process after a peace agreement was signed by South Sudan government and opposition leaders in Addis Ababa, in September.

The South Sudan peace monitoring body, the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission last month late September issued an implementation report noting that some deadlines have been met while others have been missed.

Last month, the government and opposition groups celebrated the signing of the peace agreement in Juba, a move seen by many as confidence building in the implementation process.