High-level AU delegation to visit South Sudan as end of interim period nears

JUBA – The African Union has said that it will send a high-level delegation to South Sudan to encourage the country’s leaders in embarking on a post-transitional period mechanism just as the country nears the end of the 36-month transitional period.

In a communiqué following a meeting on January 25, the African Union Peace and Security Council said it has decided “to undertake a solidarity visit to South Sudan on the second anniversary of the formation of the Transitional Government on 22 February 2022 aimed at encouraging the country as it embarks on the end-phase of the transition, and start the laborious process to the post-transition era.”

The continental body also said it will work hand-in-hand with the United Nations Secretary-General and the IGAD Executive Secretary to coordinate the evaluation of electoral readiness of South Sudan “and to submit a report of the evaluation within two months of Council’s decision.”

It also directed the AU Commission “to commence consultations with the UN Secretary-General and the IGAD Executive Secretary on the convening of the South Sudan Pledging Conference as provided for in Chapter III, Article 3.2.8 of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement.”

It also urged the AU Commission “To deploy all the necessary technical support for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) and Security Sector reform (SSR) programme in South Sudan.”