JMC to revise peace schedule in light of slow progress

The JMC on Sunday concluded its fourth plenary session in Lusaka, Zambia. During the three-day meeting, a special mission on the Ikela situation was instructed to return to the town “and broker an immediate cessation of hostilities”, a press release stated on Sunday. The session also covered the general status of ceasefire implementation, release of POWs and the need for a revised calendar for implementation, which has lagged far behind the schedule set in the Lusaka accords. Continuing ceasefire violations, the action to be taken about them and possible changes to the structure of the JMC to enhance implementation of the peace process were also discussed, the press release stated, without elaborating on decisions reached.