Chairperson of the IGAD Council of Ministers this afternoon (27 January 2018) addressed the 60th Extraordinary Session of IGAD Council of Ministers on South Sudan, which is underway at Hilton Hotel. In his address to the meeting, Dr. Workneh reiterated the fact that the convening of the 60th IGAD Council of Ministers meeting in Addis Ababa "is a testimony and a serious indication of your commitment to seeking lasting solution to the prolonged war and senseless violence which has caused and still continues to inflict tragic disaster upon the people of South Sudan."

Congratulating the IGAD member countries on the launching of the First Round of the High Level Revitalization Forum on South Sudan in December 2017, Dr. Workneh stressed that the December 2017 IGAD Council of Ministers meeting "was not just about mere launching of the revitalization process, rather it was an occasion on which we have seriously and collectively - as IGAD - encouraged our fellow South Sudanese brothers and sisters, once again, to refrain from conflicts and engage constructively in an inclusive peace dialogue"

Most importantly, Dr. Workneh, paying due attention to the breach of the Cessation of Hostilities, Humanitarian Access and the Protection of Civilians that has been signed by the warring parties in December 2017, has urged parties "that have shown neither the political will, nor the commitment to implement the agreement" to reconsider their position in light of the recent statement issued by the IGAD Council "calling upon all the parties to show restraint and desist from all forms of hostilities"

Minister Workneh further commended the continued support of the AU, the EU, the Troika, the UN, the IGAD Partners Forum (IPF) and all those who consider themselves friends of the people of South Sudan. That being the case, FM Workneh has voiced ou the fact that "perpetrators of the violations shall held accountable" and have urged the conflicting parties "to give primacy to political dialogue and the peace process."