AUC Chairperson visits Juba amid tension, reaffirm support for South Sudan

African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson, Mahmoud Ali visited Juba, South Sudan, amid tensions, hoping to calm down the highly volatile political situation that put the country on the brink. 

The visit that also involved the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), according to a joint statement issued by the two institutions on Tuesday, seeks to "preserving the hard-won gains" in their mission to Juba. 

While in Juba, Mahmoud Ali held high-level consultations with President Salva Kiir and other senior government officials in "pursuit of peace, national unity, democratic governance, and sustainable development."

"Discussions focused on preserving the hard-won gains of the peace agreement, fostering inclusive national dialogue and consensus, and supporting the timely, credible, and transparent implementation of the transitional roadmap," the communiqué read in part. 

The two-day visit (May 5 to 6, 2025), they said, also saw the AUC chair engage with regional and international partners, including the African diplomatic corps and TROIKA representatives. 

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Their deliberations, the statement noted, were centered on avenues to "enhance coordination and reinforce a unified approach to supporting South Sudan's transition."

This visit came amid fears of the return of a civil war following the arrest of Vice-President Riek Machar on March, 26, sparking concerns that the world's youngest nation could break into conflict. 

At the same time, "the visit comes at a pivotal moment as South Sudan advances through its transitional period under the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS)."

The AU and IGAD emphasised that peace, stability, and inclusive governance are essential for the country's sustainable development and integration within the region, reaffirming their "unwavering support" to the government and people of Sudan. 

They underscored the importance of mutual trust, national cohesion, and the protection of political and civic space, as well as a continued commitment to dialogue and compromise.

"The African Union and IGAD remain fully committed to working collaboratively with the Government and people of South Sudan as well as international and regional partners to safeguard peace, uphold the principles of the R-ARCSS, and support a future grounded in unity, resilience and prosperity," said the statement.