The chairman of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission has appealed to the transitional government of national unity to assume a “more visible stance in propagating peace among the communities”.

Festus Mogae, who spoke this morning at the opening of a JMEC meeting in Juba, said the only offensive South Sudan needs right now is a “peace offensive”.

Mr Mogae was presenting his monthly report on the implementation of the peace agreement to the board members.

These include representatives of the transitional government, stakeholders, IGAD member states and the UN. Others are the Troika, China and the European Union.

According to a statement, Mr Mogae said the security and humanitarian situation is precarious but there are areas within the agreement where progress is being made.

He said the Transitional Security Arrangement Mechanisms, which he previously described as “disintegrated”, has now been revived and re-constituted.

While it is not fully representative or inclusive, the body is now balanced and capable of driving this critical element of the Agreement forward.

He reiterated that the peace agreement and the pursuit of its articles and instruments remain the best hope and opportunity to make progress towards a sustainable peace.

“This Peace Agreement and pursuit of its articles and instruments remains our best hope and opportunity to make progress towards a sustainable peace,” the former Botswanan President said.

“The security and humanitarian situation is precarious but there are areas within the Agreement where progress is being made, and I take time today to note and recognize this.”

He called for a nationwide campaign of visits and speeches, standing side by side with civil society leaders and speaking words of togetherness, forgiveness, and a unified future.