The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Youssouf Ali, has declared the dispatch of a prominent delegation from the AU Panel of the Wise to South Sudan. This move aims to help reduce tensions and encourage discussions within the nation.
This comes as tension remains high in Juba following the detention of the country's first Vice president Riek Machar following a deadly attack in the country's Upper Nile region that led to the death of a top military general and other soldiers.
The African Union Commission mentioned that the choice to send a mediation team to Juba came after direct discussions between the AU Chairperson and South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir. During these talks, they addressed the changing political landscape as well as the recent surge in violence in Nasir.
Ali underscored the African Union’s support for the leadership and citizens of South Sudan, highlighting their dedication to promoting conversation, harmony, and enduring peace within the country.
“To strengthen mediation initiatives and ensure complete adherence to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), the Chairperson is sending a prominent delegation from the AU Panel of the Wise to Juba. This team will interact with various parties involved to reduce hostilities and encourage conversation,” stated the AUC chairperson on Monday.
The AUC additionally called upon all factions in South Sudan to comply with the stipulations outlined in the R-ARCSS, emphasizing the importance of complete adherence to guarantee a lasting peaceful resolution.
The continental body also reaffirmed its ongoing collaboration with regional and international partners, including the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the East African Community (EAC), and the United Nations, to support South Sudan's transition to lasting peace and democracy.
This development follows closely after Kenya’s President William Ruto named Odinga as the Special Envoy to South Sudan just a few days prior.
On March 27, Odinga conveyed his hope for resolving the ongoing political dispute in the nation after holding talks with President Kiir in Juba.
During his visit to South Sudan as part of an IGAD delegation, Odinga characterized his discussions with Kiir as "comprehensive and productive." The conversations centered around the nation's current political climate.
Following his engagement in Juba on Friday, Odinga proceeded to Uganda, where he met with President Yoweri Museveni in Entebbe to consolidate regional efforts toward peace in South Sudan.
"Landed in Entebbe, Uganda, for a briefing session with H.E. President Yoweri Museveni following my fact-finding mission on the political situation in South Sudan. I remain hopeful that a peaceful way out of the political uncertainty in South Sudan is possible, and further escalation can be avoided," Odinga remarked.
Upon returning to the country from Entebbe, Odinga would claim that Kiir's administration had not permitted him to speak with Machar and had instead advised him to meet with Museveni.
The South Sudanese government has however refuted claims that President Kiir directed Odinga to meet with Ugandan President Museveni following his visit to Juba, where he sought permission to speak with detained First Vice President Riek Machar.
On Monday, in an official statement, President Salva Kiir’s press secretary, David Amor Majur, refuted these allegations as a “distortion of diplomatic standards and values.”
"Majur stated that suggesting His Excellency General Salva Kiir Mayardit, the President of South Sudan, asked Right Honourable Raila Odinga to meet with the Ugandan President is a distortion of diplomatic standards and values," he explained.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).
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