Africa-Press – South-Sudan. In early May 2025, the African Union Commission (AUC), in partnership with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), undertook a high-level visit to Juba, South Sudan. The mission, which was led by AUC Chairperson Mohamud Ali and supported by IGAD representatives, marked a critical moment in South Sudan’s transitional journey under the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
In a joint communiqué issued after the visit, the AU and IGAD reaffirmed their support for the Government and people of South Sudan, emphasizing the importance of preserving the gains of the peace agreement and advancing inclusive national dialogue, civic trust, and transparent implementation of the transitional roadmap. The visit included consultations with President Salva Kiir Mayardit, senior government officials, and key regional and international partners, including members of the TROIKA (United States, United Kingdom, and Norway). Yet beyond diplomatic resolve, there is an urgent need to invest in structural and social foundations that transform peace agreements into enduring stability.
So, what would an unwavering commitment to sustained peace in South Sudan truly look like? Two key pillars deserve out attention: progressive communication strategies and a strengthened civil society, grounded in the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA).
Making APSA come alive through proactive civil society engagement
At the heart of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) lies the recognition that sustainable peace must be driven by the people. For APSA to truly come alive in South Sudan, it must be augmented by active, empowered, and well supported civil society groups.
Over the years, there has been a growing emphasis across the continent on the need for inclusive peace-making approaches that involve a wide range of stakeholders, particularly CSOs. These organizations have emerged as critical players in shaping policy and decision-making processes as they are closely connected to grassroots communities and possess unique insights into the root causes of conflicts and the needs of affected populations. In South Sudan specifically, civil society organizations (CSOs) have long stood on the frontlines of South Sudan’s peace journey, playing indispensable roles in community reconciliation, trauma healing, civic education, and grassroots monitoring of the peace agreement. However, many CSOs within the country face significant barriers to effective engagement, including limited capacity to navigate the policy landscape, insufficient advocacy skills, and lack of access to key decision-making platforms. This lack of capacity hinders their ability to influence policies and programs at the national, regional and continental levels.
Recognizing this gap, the African Union Economic, Social and Cultural Council (AU ECOSOCC) serving as the civil society advisory organ of the AU, with the mandate to build capacities of CSOs to engage with programmes and policies of the AU and other core elements of the conflict management cycle, often organizes trainings for CSOs to actively engage in peace processes on advocacy techniques and policy engagement strategies to empower them with the necessary skills to articulate community concerns, propose evidence-based solutions, and influence decision-making processes at the national, regional and continental levels. South Sudan’s government and civil society actors should leverage these platforms to boost the implementation of the peace agreement. At the same time, the African Union through ECOSOCC and the Peace and Security Council (PSC) should establish formal, periodic CSO forums to inform and track AU-IGAD engagement on South Sudan, expand ECOSOCC’s regional coordination platforms to include cross-border dialogue hubs and thematic working groups on justice, youth and gender, and ensure that CSOs are not just observers but equal partners in the implementation and monitoring of the peace roadmap. Moreover, ECOSOCC must advocate for enabling environments for civic actors, secure space for civil discourse, and the inclusion of women, youth, and displaced persons at all decision-making levels.
Building Trust and Public Engagement through Investments in Communications and Technology
In a post-conflict environment like South Sudan, communication is not a luxury but is actually the cornerstone of trust, truth and transformation. Yet, fewer than 20% of South Sudanese have access to independent or reliable news sources, and in rural areas, rumors and disinformation frequently outpace facts, inflamed by ethnic tension and political manipulation. In such fragile contexts, information can serve as either a bridge to peace or a barrier to unity. A robust peace agenda must therefore embed strategic and inclusive communication at its core. To this end, several approaches merit immediate and sustained attention:
Strengthen Independent Media and Community Radio
Community radio remains the most trusted and accessible medium for the majority of South Sudan’s population, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas. The country has seen engagement from key media groups such as Eye Radio, Radio Tamazuj, etc. Considering their reach and engagement over the years, investment in independent, community-led stations opens up the opportunity to not only to counter disinformation but also to ensure that peace narratives are localized, relevant, and trustworthy.
Translate the Peace Process into the Language of the People
Peace agreements and constitutional texts often remain dense and inaccessible to ordinary citizens. Simplifying and translating these documents into local languages, and using visual storytelling methods such as audio-visual explainer videos, comics, and infographics, can demystify the peace process and foster broader public ownership. For example, radio programs could host weekly segments titled “Peace Explained,” unpacking key provisions of the peace agreement with the help of interpreters, lawyers, and local leaders. Civic education toolkits designed for schools, places of worship, and local gatherings should follow suit.
Expand Digital Inclusion for Civic Engagement
While internet penetration remains low, over 50% of South Sudanese own mobile phones, making SMS and IVR (interactive voice response) systems powerful tools for mass engagement. Mobile-based early warning and reporting systems, as used successfully in northern Uganda, where they helped reduce community clashes by up to 45% can be replicated in South Sudan to monitor violence, displacement, or hate speech in real time. In tandem, virtual civic platforms, even low-bandwidth messaging groups by mobile carriers such as MTN, could facilitate digital town halls, amplify local peacebuilders, and monitor implementation progress. These platforms can also connect returnees and displaced persons across borders.
Launch Peace-Focused Media and Education Campaigns
South Sudan can learn from regional successes such as the #SocialMedia4Peace campaign in Kenya, spearheaded by UNESCO, which mobilized influencers, journalists, and tech companies to counter online hate speech and promote responsible digital citizenship. Adapting such campaigns to South Sudan’s context through hashtags, video challenges, and mobile storytelling competitions could resonate with urban youth and diaspora communities. In parallel, peace education should be mainstreamed into the national curriculum, supported by arts-based programs, storytelling festivals, and inter-school debates that frame peace as an everyday practice rather than a political ideal.
Incubate Tech-for-Peace Innovations
The private sector, particularly telecom firms, fintech innovators, and ed-tech start-ups, must be engaged as peace actors. The establishment of “Tech for Peace Accelerators,” supported by international donors and the Ministry of Youth and ICT, could provide funding, mentorship, and visibility to young South Sudanese coders, communicators, and creatives designing homegrown tools for peacebuilding. Potential outputs could include apps for legal awareness, gamified civic education, or story mapping platforms documenting peace efforts across communities.
It is important to acknowledge that agreements and declarations are a critical first step to peacebuilding in South Sudan’s. However, it is also crucial to maintain that this process must be backed by systems that bring them to life. When citizens understand the peace process, when communities can voice their needs, and when local innovations are scaled, peace becomes not a promise, but a practice. An unwavering commitment to sustained peace in South Sudan must therefore be grounded in information justice, digital inclusion, and civic empowerment. Only then can South Sudan move from a fragile truce to a resilient future.
Source: Radio Tamazuj
For More News And Analysis About South-Sudan Follow Africa-Press
