Africa-Press – South-Sudan. A delegation from the African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) will visit South Sudan’s capital, Juba, from Thursday 23rd to Saturday 25th for talks focused on the country’s political transition.
The council’s chair for April is Ethiopia, meaning Ethiopia’s permanent representative to the African Union, Ambassador Hirut Zemene, is presiding over meetings and guiding the body’s agenda this month.
According to a programme seen by Radio Tamazuj, the delegation is expected to meet President Salva Kiir and engage a wide range of stakeholders including the vice presidency, institutions established under the 2018 peace agreement, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission.
It will also consult other key actors as part of efforts to assess progress on outstanding transitional tasks ahead of planned elections. The council aims to gather first-hand information to guide decisions on next steps for supporting South Sudan’s government and political actors in completing the transition.
Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), said the visit reflects the PSC’s continued engagement with South Sudanese leaders on implementing the peace agreement.
“Solidarity for peace and silencing the guns in South Sudan is recognisable and motivating, but unfortunately leaders have allowed violence and guns to prevail over peace and stability,” he told Radio Tamazuj.
Yakani said the visit would yield tangible results if it included inclusive engagement with all signatories to the revitalised peace agreement and reinforced implementation of recent AU C5 decisions.
The visit comes about two weeks after AU envoy Jakaya Kikwete travelled to South Sudan, where he met Kiir and other stakeholders to discuss peace efforts, inclusive dialogue, the release of detainees including First Vice President Riek Machar, and adherence to a ceasefire.
South Sudan’s security situation remains fragile despite the 2018 peace agreement signed by Kiir and Machar. Machar was placed under house arrest in March 2025 and suspended as first vice president, deepening tensions within the unity government.
The agreement and transitional administration have been weakened by continued violence, ceasefire violations and political disputes between the two leaders.
The country’s first general elections have been postponed several times due to a lack of conditions for credible polls and logistical challenges, with parties now aiming for December 2026.
The PSC visit is the latest effort to increase pressure on South Sudanese leaders to restore stability and advance a peaceful political transition.
The AU Peace and Security Council is the African Union’s standing decision making body for conflict prevention, management and resolution, serving as the continent’s collective security and early warning mechanism.
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