By Staff Writer
A high-level delegation led by Chairperson of African Union Commission, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, arrives Juba today, May 5th, for a two-day visit.
According to African Union Ambassador to South Sudan, Prof. Joram Mukama Biswaro, the six-member AU delegation is scheduled to meet with President Salva Kiir Mayardit and other key leaders within the country.
Discussions are expected to focus on de-escalating the current tensions and assessing the state of the fragile peace process.
This visit marks Chairperson Youssouf’s first trip to South Sudan since assuming the leadership of the AU Commission.
Accompanying the AU Chairperson is the Deputy Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Mohamed Abdi Ware. IGAD has been the primary regional bloc mediating the South Sudanese peace process.
This visit comes at a time when political tension is escalating following the house arrest of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny.
Since its signing in 2018, the implementation of the peace agreement has been slow and fraught with challenges, including delays in security sector reforms (like unifying the army), political disagreements, persistent sub-national violence, and inadequate funding.
Deadlines have been repeatedly missed, requiring extensions to the transitional period.
Recently, tension flared up following the house arrest of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny, a principal signatory to the R-ARCSS and leader of the main opposition group (SPLM-IO).
This has dramatically increased political tensions across the country, raising fears of a return to wider conflict and further destabilizing the already fragile peace deal.
The visit by the AU Chairperson and the IGAD Deputy Executive Secretary represents a diplomatic intervention aimed at understanding the situation firsthand, engaging with the leadership, urging restraint, and reinforcing the importance of adhering to the peace agreement to prevent a collapse of the political process.