JMEC 'pleased' with progress in addressing 28 states

The chairman of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, Festus Mogae has commended the transitional government for steps taken towards addressing the issue of the 28 states.

In a meeting in Juba on Tuesday, President Salva Kiir, First Vice President Riek Machar and Vice President James Wani Igga agreed on the formation of a boundary commission to look into the issue.

The 15-member commission will be composed of 4 government representatives, 3 from the SPLM-IO, one former political detainee and a member from the National Alliance Agenda.

It will also have 3 representatives from the Troika nations, one from South Africa and one from Tanzania, as guarantors to the agreement.

Upon establishment, the commission will have 30 days to reach recommendations on the number and boundaries of states in South Sudan.

Festus Mogae spoke to Gabriel Shadar about this and other developments.