Attachments
Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1283rd meeting held on 12 June 2025 on Updated Briefing on the Situation in South Sudan.
The Peace and Security Council,
Recallingall its previous decisions and pronouncements on the situation in South Sudan, particularly, Press Statement [PSC/PR/BR/1270.(2025], adopted at its 1270th meeting held on 31 March 2025; Communiqués [PSC/PR/COMM.1219 (2024), adopted at its 1219th meeting held on 28 June 2024; [PSC/PR/COMM. 1202 (2024)], adopted at its 1202nd meeting held on 27 February 2024; and [PSC/PR/COMM.(DCCCLXXXVI)] adopted at its 886th meeting held on 15 October 2019;
Taking note of the outstanding transitional tasks and the extended timeline for the end of the Transition, namely, February 2027;
Reiterating the unwavering commitment of the AU, as a guarantor, to support the full implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), signed on 12 September 2018;
Reaffirming the AU respect for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Republic of South Sudan; and also reaffirming the solidarity of the AU with the people and the Government of the Republic of South Sudan in their legitimate aspirations to restore durable peace, security, stability and development in their country, which will significantly benefit the Horn of Africa region and the African Continent as a whole;
Taking note of the opening remarks by H.E. Ambassador Innocent Shiyo, the Permanent Representative of the United Republic of Tanzania to the AU and Chairperson of the PSC for June 2025; the introductory Statement by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; as well as the statements by the representatives of the Republic of South Sudan and the Republic of South Africa (C5 Chair), as well as by the representatives of IGAD Secretariat, the Reconstititued Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC) and the United Nations; and
Acting under Article 7 of our Protocol:
1. Underlines the critical importanceof full implementation of all provisions of the R-ARCSS as the only viable path towards a sustainable solution to the challenges facing the Republic of South Sudan;
2. Expresses deep concern over the deteriorating political and security situation in South Sudan and the potential of a full scale civil war, in violation of the Ceacefire Agreement and, thus, reversing all the gains registered thus far and the current momentum in the implementation of the R-ARCSS and, in this respect, calls for an immediate end to hostilities between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), the Sudan People’sLiberation Movement/Army- in Oposition (SPLM/A-IO) the White Army, including an immediate end to indiscriminate attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, and, agree to mediation and pursue genuine dialogue, as the only viable path towards a sustainable solution for any differences that they may have;
3. Also expresses deep concern over the continued house arrest of Dr. Riek Machar Teny, First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, and calls for his immediate and unconditional release; further expresses deep concern over the dismissals and detention of SPLM-IO officials from the Reconstituted Transitional Government of National Unity (R- TGoNU), in blatant violation of the provisions of the R-ARCSS; strongly calls for their immediate and unconditional release and reinstatement, to de-escalate the prevailing political tension and to prevent the total collapse of the R-ARCSS; andalso calls for an independent investigation of all violations of the R-ARCSS;
4. Reiterates the AU condemnationof violence against civilians, particularly women and children, which constitutes a grave violation of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law, and in this respect, encourages the authorities in South Sudan to investigate and hold the perpetrators accountable while taking immediate action to ensure the protection of civilians;
5. Strongly urgesthe signatory parties to the R-ARCSS to respect its provisions, desist from undermining peace, to use dialogue in addressing their differences, redouble efforts in building mutual trust and confidence and always use the available legal, peaceful and collaborative means and ways of addressing challenges that may be encountered in the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement; andcategorically warns that peace spoilers will be held accountable for undermining the peace process in South Sudan;
6. Encouragesthe RTGoNU to mobilize resources for the three constitution-making and electoral bodies, namely: the National Elections Commission (NEC), the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC), and the Political Parties Council (PPC), to enable them to effectively and efficiently implement their respective mandates within the remaining timeframe; further, reiterates its call to the AU Commission, and Member States in a position to do so, and the International Community to support the efforts of the RTGoNU with technical, financial and logistical support, in the preparations of elections;
7. Once again encouragesthe Trilateral Mechanism to closely work with the RTGoNU to reactivate the Government-Trilateral Joint Task Force (JTF) and to facilitate the implementation of pending R-ARCSS provisions regarding constitution-making and electoral processes in the country;
8. Underscores the need for scalling up support to resource mobilization efforts being deployed by South Sudan in order to facilitate the successful organization of credible elections in December 2026;
9. Renews the callon the RTGoNU to expedite the deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces (NUF) to ensure civilian protection, facilitate the civic and political space for inclusive engagement of the process, and to create a conducive environment for envisaged December 2026 elections; in this context, reiterates the call for the UN to lift the arms embargo imposed on South Sudan to enable the RTGoNU to expedite the unification of NUFs and to more effectively address the security challenges facing the country; and also appeals to the international partners to lift all punitive measures imposed on the country, in order to facilitate the expeditious implementation of the outstanding aspects of the R-ARCSS;
10. Expresses deep appreciationto IGAD, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (RJMEC), the Troika (Norway, United States of America and United Kingdom), the IGAD Partners Forum (IPF), the AU High-Level Ad Hoc Committee of Five for South Sudan (C5), and all international partners and the Friends of South Sudan for working with the RTGoNU and the people of South Sudan in implementing the R-ARCSS;
11. Further reiterates the callon the RTGoNU to continue working with the AU Commission - Office of the Legal Counsel (OLC) - to develop the Guidelines for the establishment of the Hybrid Court of South Sudan (HCSS), and the modalities for the truth, reconciliation, compensation and reparation processes;
12. Encourageshumanitarian actors to continue supporting efforts aimed at addressing the dire humanitarian situation caused by a combination of the current conflict, the ongoing crisis in Sudan, the flood situation and the cholera outbreak in the country; and while acknowledging the sustained efforts being deployed by the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa-CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), underlines the importance of scaling up resource mobilization and coordination of efforts in combating the cholera epidemic and other public health threats facing South Sudan, including monkey pox;
13. Also encouragesthe parties to the Tumaini Initiative and those yet to join to genuinely and peacefully engage to reach a timely consensus for an inclusive peace process in South Sudan;
14. Commendsthe efforts being deployed by the AU Panel of the Wise and encourages the Panel to continue its engagements and mediation efforts with all actors, and parties to the Revitalised Agreement, and also encourages the South Sudanese parties to commit implementing all outstanding transitional tasks, such as security sector reform including undertaking the second phase of the unification of forces, and the harmonization of the command structure with a national character under one Commander in Chief;
15. Also commendsthe AU High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan (C5) for its continued engagement with South Sudanese authorities in supporting the constitution-making and electoral process, particularly, for the recent visit to Juba, conducted from 15 to 17 January 2025 and encouragesthe Committeeto work in collaboration with the AU Commission in mobilizing the international community to support the RTGoNU financially and materially;
16. Commendsthe Chairperson of the Commissionfor leading the joint AU-IGAD solidarity mission to Juba from 5 to 6 May 2025; and encourages him to sustain engagements with President Salva Kiir and regional leaders to foster inclusive dialogue, facilitate the release of political detainees, and support the full implementation of the Revitalised Agreement to ensure the restoration of lasting peace and stability in South Sudan;
17. Underscores the importance of sustained diplomatic engagements to prevent the total collapse of the R-ARCSS and South Sudan as a country, and in this context, requeststhe AU Commission, working in collaboration with the IGAD Secretariat to further strengthen political engagement and mediation support to the South Sudan peace process, including through the continued use of the Panel of the Wise;
18. Expresses deep appreciation to H.E. Ambassador Professor Jorum Mukama Biswaro, for his demonstrable passion, dedication and personal commitment to duty as the SRCC for South Sudan and Head of AULO in Juba; commends him for his leadership and significant contribution towards ensuring the visibility of the AU in South Sudan and wishes him well as he embarks on the next chapter of his life;
19. Warmly welcomes to Council, the new Permanent Representative of the Republic of the Gambia to the AU, H.E. Ambassador Salimatta Touray; and
20. Decidesto remain actively seized of the matter.