Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1270^th meeting, held on 31 March 2025, regarding the update on the Situation in South Sudan.

Council recalled its previous decisions and pronouncements on the situation in South Sudan, particularly, Communiqués [PSC/PR/COMM.1265 (2025)] adopted at its 1265^th meeting held on 18 March 2025; [PSC/PR/COMM.1219 (2024)], adopted by the PSC at its 1219^th meeting held on 28 June 2024; and [PSC/PR/COMM.1202 (2024)], adopted by the PSC at its 1202^nd meeting held on 27 February 2024;

Council expressed its grave concern over the rapid deterioration of the political and security situation in the Republic of South Sudan and the arrest and detention of South Sudan’s First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, on 26 March 2025 in Juba, South Sudan.

Council called for an immediate and unconditional release of the First Vice President, H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny and his wife, and in this regard, Council called upon the authorities to ensure the safety and health of the First Vice President and his immediate family and emphasized that any political differences should be resolved through dialogue within the established mechanisms under the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.

Council emphasized that the recent developments in South Sudan have significantly impacted the progress made in consolidating peace in the country through the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), signed on 12 September 2018 and threatens the fragile peace, security and stability in the country and the wider region.

Council emphasized that the R-ARCSS remains the most viable and relevant Agreement for sustainable peace, stability, and national reconciliation toward the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan and called upon the parties to the Agreement to uphold the spirit and letter of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan and for all signatory and non-signatory parties to recommit to the full, comprehensive, and unconditional implementation of the Agreement.

Council urged the Authorities in South Sudan to initiate an all-inclusive and genuine South Sudanese-led dialogue to restore trust, national unity and peace in the country.

Council appealed to all concerned parties and actors to exercise maximum restraint, refrain from any actions that could exacerbate tensions, and prioritize dialogue and mediation to resolve any outstanding issues through peaceful means toward ensuring an environment conducive to lasting peace and development.

In this regard, Council requested the Chairperson of the AU Commission to urgently dispatch a high-level delegation to South Sudan to be led by the Panel of the Wise to engage with the parties concerned with the view to de-escalating the tensions, cease-fire, and to mediate between the parties, to ensure a return to dialogue and to uphold the sanctity and integrity of the Revitalized Agreement.

Council appealed to the AU High-Level Ad Hoc Committee of Five (C5) on South Sudan to continue engaging all actors in South Sudan to support the peace efforts deployed by the AU and Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in finding lasting peace and stability in the country.

Council called upon the IGAD, the United Nations (UN), and the broader international community to enhance their support for the implementation of the peace agreement and the broader stabilization efforts in South Sudan.

Council agreed to remain actively seized of the matter.

COMMENTS