Mekelle፡Telaviv, Nairobi, Pretoria, London, (Tigray Herald).
Via Koang Pal Chang
The African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) convened its 1283rd virtual meeting on June 12, 2025, to assess the situation in South Sudan. The Council used this opportunity to reflect on ongoing challenges and reaffirm its commitment to lasting peace, stability, and coordinated support for the transitional process. A central focus of the meeting was an urgent call for the immediate and unconditional release of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar and other detained SPLM-IO officials.
Key Concerns and Demands
Acting under Article VII of its Protocol, the AUPSC issued several critical demands and expressed deep concerns:
• Full Implementation of Peace Agreement: The Council underlined the critical impoInvestigations
implementing all provisions of the Security Agreement as the only viable path towards a sustainable solution for South Sudan’s challenges.
• Concerns over Regional Instability: Deep concern was expressed over the deteriorating political and security situations in Sudan and the potential for a full-scale civil war, warning of its potential to reverse all gains made in South Sudan’s revitalized agreement.
• End to Hostilities:
The AUPSC called for an immediate end to hostilities between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, and the White Army, including an immediate end to indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure. They urged genuine dialogue as the only path to resolving differences.
• Release of Political Detainees:
The Council expressed deep concern over the continued house arrest of Dr. Riek Machar, First Vice President of South Sudan, and called for his immediate and unconditional release. They further decried the dismissals and detention of SPLM-IO officials from the reconstituted transitional government, viewing this as a blatant violation of the revitalized agreement. The AUPSC strongly called for their immediate and unconditional release and reinstatement to de-escalate political tension and prevent the collapse of the agreement.
• Independent Investigations:
A call was made for an independent investigation into all violations of the revitalized agreement.
• Protection of Civilians: The African Union reiterated its condemnation of violence against civilians, particularly women and children, which constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law and human rights law. Authorities in South Sudan were encouraged to investigate and hold perpetrators accountable, ensuring immediate protection for civilians.
Directives and Recommendations
The AUPSC urged the signatory parties to the revitalized agreement to:
• Respect Provisions & Build Trust: Strictly adhere to the agreement’s provisions, refrain from undermining peace, redouble efforts in building mutual trust and confidence, and always use legal, peaceful, and collaborative means to address challenges.
• Accountability for Peace Spoilers: Categorically warned that peace spoilers will be held accountable for undermining the peace process.
• Resource Mobilization: Encouraged the transitional government to mobilize resources for the three constitutional-making and electoral bodies: the National Elections Commission, the National Constitutional Review Commission, and the Political Parties Council, to enable them to effectively implement their mandates within the remaining timeframe.
• Trilateral Mechanism Collaboration:
Encouraged the trilateral mechanism (AU, IGAD, UN) to closely work with the transitional government to reactivate the joint task force and facilitate the implementation of pending provisions regarding constitutional making and the electoral process.
• Support for 2026 Elections: Underscored the need to scale up support for resource mobilization efforts to ensure the successful organization of credible elections in December 2026.
• Unified Forces & Arms Embargo: Renewed the call for the transitional government to expedite the deployment of necessary unified forces for civilian protection, facilitate civic and political space for inclusive engagement, and create a conducive environment for the 2026 elections. In this context, the call for the lifting of the arms embargo on South Sudan was reiterated to enable the government to expedite unification and address security challenges.
Appreciation and Future Engagements
• The Council expressed deep appreciation to IGAD, UNMISS, RJMEC, the Troika (Norway, USA, UK), the IGAD Partners Forum, the African Union High-Level Ad-Hoc Committee for South Sudan, and all international partners and friends for their efforts in implementing the revitalized agreement.
• They also reiterated the call for the transitional government to work with the AU Commission to develop guidelines for the establishment of the High Court of South Sudan and modalities for the truth, reconciliation, compensation, and reparation processes.
• The AUPSC emphasized the importance of supporting efforts to address the dire humanitarian situation caused by conflict, the ongoing crisis in Sudan, floods, and the cholera outbreak, underlining the need for effective civilian protection. They encouraged parties to the Tumain Initiative to genuinely engage for an inclusive peace process.
• Finally, the Council commended the African Union Panel of the Wise for its continued engagements and encouraged parties to implement outstanding transitional tasks. Appreciation was extended to the C5 for its engagement in constitution-making and electoral processes, and to the Chairperson of the Commission for leading the joint AU-IGAD solidarity mission to Juba in May 2025.
The AUPSC underscored the importance of sustained diplomatic engagements to prevent the total collapse of the revitalized agreement and South Sudan as a country.The Council decided to remain actively seized of the matter.
Source፡African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC)
