AU peace and security council arrives in South Sudan’s capital for key elections talks
By Debora Akur Chol, Brown Land Reporter South Sudan
A delegation from the African Union Peace and Security Council has arrived in Juba for high level consultations on South Sudan’s peace process and preparations for the December 2026 general elections.
The delegation is led by Ambassador Hirut Zemene Kassa, Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Upon arrival on Thursday, the team was received by Ambassador Kureng Akuei Pac, Director General for Multilateral Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
According to the African Union, the visit forms part of ongoing efforts to assess the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement and to evaluate the current political and security situation ahead of the planned elections.
The AU Peace and Security Council delegation is expected to remain in South Sudan from April 23 to 25, 2026. During this period, it will hold consultations with President Salva Kiir, members of the Vice Presidency, and other key stakeholders in the transitional government.
The programme will also include engagements with institutions established under the peace agreement, including the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission. Civil society organisations are expected to present their perspectives on the progress and challenges of the transitional process.
The African Union noted that the mission aims to help determine “the next steps required to effectively support the Government and people of South Sudan to successfully complete the outstanding transition.”
The visit comes as South Sudan prepares for its first general elections scheduled for December 2026, amid concerns over delays in implementing key provisions of the peace agreement, particularly in security arrangements and institutional reforms.
Civil society actors have welcomed the AU engagement, while continuing to call for tangible outcomes, including progress on political detainees, sustained ceasefire adherence, and inclusive dialogue among all signatory parties.
South Sudan remains in a delicate transitional phase following years of conflict, with repeated delays in fully implementing the peace agreement despite sustained regional and international support.
