The government has welcomed the appointment of former president of Botswana, Festus Gontebanye Mogae as the chairman of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission.

IGAD appointed Mr Festus to the position last week.

The ministry of foreign affairs has expressed hope that Mr Festus will work with the parties to the agreement to achieve lasting peace.

“We, the government here would appreciate the appointment of this person and we hope that he will revive the work of the peace,” says foreign ministry spokesman, Mawien Makol, in a statement to Eye Radio.

“So the government has welcomed and thanks the African Union,” he said.

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.

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.

IGAD chairman and Ethiopian Prime Minister said last week that he appointed Mr Festus after consultations within the region.

The United States, a prominent player in the peace process, commended IGAD for the appointment.

“A prominent leader of accomplishment and moral authority, President Mogae will lead a group of international experts responsible for overseeing and supporting the implementation of all aspects of the agreement,” said statement department spokesman, John Kirby in a statement from Washington DC.

“The United States welcomes his appointment and will work closely with him and other international partners to help the South Sudanese people revitalize their dream of achieving peace and building a new nation,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Festus told Eye Radio that he would be in Addis today.