The IGAD has appointed the former President of Botswana as the chairman of the South Sudan Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission.

In a letter, Ethiopian Prime minister Hailemariam Dessalegn said he appointed Festus Gontebanye Mogae after consultations with regional leaders.

According to the peace agreement, the JMEC will oversee the implementation of the deal and the mandate of the transitional government of national unity.

It shall be reporting to the South Sudan Council of Ministers, the African Union and the UN Secretary General every three months.

According the deal, the JMEC shall be composed of six representatives of the signatories, seven members of the stakeholders, 12 members of the regional guarantors and seven partners and friends of South Sudan.

The agreement, which was signed in August, states that IGAD should initiate the formation of JMEC within 15 days after signing.

In the letter, Prime Minister Hailemariam says he has asked chief mediator Seyoum Mesfin to ensure that the head of JMEC as soon as possible.