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STATEMENT ON THE CRISIS IN SOUTH SUDAN AND PROVISIONAL FRAMEWORK TO LONG-LASTING PEACE IN SOUTH SUDAN -22ND DECEMBER 2013.
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Introduction

1. To address the current crisis in South Sudan, we – the Pan African Forum(PAF) as well as representatives of regional peace organisations— being watchdogs of peace  in Africa, and having  worked with regional peace organizations , democracy and governance and  in which these peace organisations have participated in peace building work in South Sudan and elsewhere in Africa— call on all parties and stakeholders in the current South Sudan conflict to consider the following proposals in the quest to break the cycle of violence that has consumed South Sudan since last week.
2. We recall that in April 2004, well before the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the Economic Commission of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) – under the chairmanship of the founding father of the nation, Dr John Garang de Mabio – developed a visionary document titled Strategic Framework for War-to-Peace Transition.
3. The seminal document diagnosed the central problem of the post 1956 Sudan and, more importantly, articulated an alternative vision for South Sudan that included: a fundamental and democratic transformation of Sudan; a restructuring power on a new basis that allows for the establishment of inclusive governance; a people based decision-making architecture;  and, an equitable resource allocation.
4. It is instructive that the SPLM worked particularly hard to ensure that these ideals and practical proposals became part of the CPA signed in Nairobi in January 2005. 
5.  More relevant to the current crisis is that the Strategic Framework for War-to-Peace Transitionoutlined a broad and integrated agenda in the transition from war to peace built around 7 pillars:

 (a) Establishment of institutional infrastructure of governance;
 (b) Development of physical infrastructure;
(c) Regeneration of social capital;
(d) Restoration of peace and harmony; (e) prioritization agriculture as the engine of economic growth and poverty eradication;
(f) Transformation of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) from a war time guerrilla organization to a peace time political organization in an environment of democracy and political pluralism; and
(g) The transformation of the SPLA from an insurgency based guerrilla army into a conventional army.

1.  We note with appreciation that in spite of, or even because of, the myriad challenges that the Republic of South Sudan has faced since the signing of the CPA in 2005, considerable strides have been made in healing, state building and nation building by individuals taking leadership and initiative as well as governmental and non-governmental agencies.
2. In this light, the current crisis should be addressed in a manner that retains fidelity to the dreams of the Founding Fathers, enhances the dignity of the people of South Sudan, and, more importantly, steers the country along the urgent and difficult tasks of healing, state building and nation building.
3.  In a context of high conflict vulnerability, an escalation of violent conflict can only assume a life of its own and engulf the entire region as other internal and external players stoke the embers or take advantage of such circumstances. Though we are not citizens of South Sudan, this partly explains our interest in the crisis in South Sudan.
4. To assist the people of south Sudan and their government return to the path of healing, state building and nation building, we make the following recommendations as good neighbours would, inspired by our African spirituality as well as the doctrine of the Responsibility of Protect, established by the UN on the same year the CPA was signed.

             Proposals and Recommendations:

1. To enhance the on-going high level conciliation efforts, a central coordinated leadership be established led by a credible mediator/facilitator from outside the region. We propose that former president of Mozambique H.E Joaquim Chissano lead the coordinated efforts of mediation and facilitation.  
2. We propose His Excellency Joaquim Chissano for four reasons:

(a) Being from outside the region, he upholds the perception of impartiality that is critical in such a peace process;
(b) He has extensive experience in similar processes of peace building, state building and nation building having led Mozambique during a difficult time of transition following the death founding president Samora Machel;
(c) He served as UN Special Envoy for the LRA Affected Areas during the Juba Peace talks between the Government of Uganda and the Lord’s Resistance Army and is, therefore, aware of the regional geopolitical dynamics; and
(d), He enjoys deep respect amongst African and non-African people for his leadership during his presidency and his involvement in similar peace processes within and outside Africa.

1. The United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU), the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the East African Community (EAC) should bring pressure to bear on the key parties to issue a joint or similar communiqué which should, inter alia, explicitly and in plain language:

 (a) Call for an immediate cease fire and cessation of hostilities in all parts of South Sudan;
(b) Call for an end to all forms of ethnicization of the conflict in all parts of South Sudan;
 (c) Call on key parties and stakeholders, including field commanders and general population, to allow and assist humanitarian workers to function without let or hindrance; and,
(d) Commit to a peaceful political process to resolve the current crisis.

1. The joint or similar communiqué should be translated into key local languages of South Sudan and broadcast through all available media within the country as well as other media accessible to South Sudan citizens outside the country.
2. The United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU), the Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the East African Community (EAC) should commit that all current and future non-South Sudanese armed personnel (including those currently present from the United States of America, Uganda) will operate under one coordinated command of the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) and under the framework of International Humanitarian Law.
3. All countries neighbouring South Sudan – namely, Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia and Central African Republic – should commit:

(a) To allow South Sudanese citizens seeking refuge in their countries to do so;
(b) Not to initiate parallel peace processes or interfere in any way with the peace and reconciliation efforts led by H.E Joaquim Chissano or other processes;
(c) Not to allow any armed group or groups to use their territory as a base to attack other armed groups inside South Sudan or spread toxic propaganda;
(d) Support evacuation and humanitarian missions; and (e) to provide military assistance only when asked by Joaquim Chissano within the framework led and coordinated by UNMISS.

1. The international community should commit:

(a) To allow South Sudanese population seeking refuge in their countries to do so;
(b) Not to initiate parallel peace processes or interfere in any way with the peace and reconciliation efforts led by H.E Joaquim Chissano or other processes;
 (c) Not to allow any armed group or groups to use their territory as a base to attack other armed groups inside South Sudan or spread toxic propaganda;
 (d) Support humanitarian and evacuation missions; and
 (e) To provide military assistance only when asked by Joaquim Chissano within the framework led and coordinated by UNMISS.

1.  As soon as there is credible evidence that the violence is deescalating the mediation and facilitation process should begin in earnest under the overall leadership of H.E Joaquim Chissano.
2. All the envoys and mediators sent by various countries and agencies should operate under the leadership, authority and direction of H.E Joaquim Chissano. The process may include high level negotiations, middle level and grassroots conciliation efforts.
3. The peace efforts at all levels of society should endeavour to learn and build on existing or organic peace processes such as the work of the South Sudan Peace and Reconciliation Commission as well the Inter-faith Peace and Healing initiatives.
4. The agenda and progress of the conciliation efforts should be translated into local languages and broadcast through all available media within the South Sudan as well as media accessible to South Sudan citizens outside the country.
5. The mediation/facilitation team should consider using the document “Strategic Framework for War-to-Peace Transition” as an overall framework for both short term and long term negotiations, taking cognizance of other documents derived from it and the contextual challenges of the state building and nation building process.

Thanks to all Peace lovers.

Dr. David Nyekorach- Matsanga.
Peace Negotiator, Conflict Resolution Expert.
For and on behalf of Pan African Forum.
Nairobi Kenya.

C.C
1. African Union Chairperson.
2. President Salva Kirr of South Sudan.
3. Dr. Riek Teny Machar- (through representative)
2. Current Chairman of EAC (President Uhuru Kenyatta).
3. President Museveni of Uganda.
4. President Jacob Zuma of South Africa.
5.  Former President J. Chissano.