South Sudan opposition urges AU to block ‘sanctioned spoilers’ from peace talks

ADDIS ABABA – A South Sudanese opposition alliance on Friday urged the African Union and regional mediators to block individuals under international sanctions from influencing ongoing peace negotiations, warning that their participation threatens the country’s stability.

In an open letter issued ahead of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, the South Sudan Federal Democratic Alliance (SSFDA) said it had received credible reports that sanctioned figures were actively attempting to obstruct diplomatic efforts.

The group called on the African Union (AU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to safeguard the integrity of the summit.

“It is unacceptable that individuals under international sanction for destabilizing conduct would seek to influence or obstruct continental peace processes designed to restore stability,” the alliance said in the statement.

The group argued that regional institutions must choose “credibility over convenience” and should not provide diplomatic cover for those associated with years of conflict.

South Sudan has struggled to fully implement a revitalized peace agreement signed in 2018, which formally ended a five-year civil war that killed an estimated 400,000 people.

Despite the formation of a transitional unity government, key provisions of the deal—including constitutional reforms, election preparations, and security sector restructuring—have faced repeated delays.

This agreement is now on the verge of collapse amid military confrontations between the main signatories to the agreement.

Several key political and military figures in South Sudan remain subject to United Nations, U.S., and European Union sanctions for their alleged roles in perpetuating violence, human rights abuses, and obstructing the peace process.

The SSFDA, which describes itself as representing diverse communities excluded from the current power-sharing arrangement, called for systemic reform rather than a continuation of the status quo.

“South Sudan does not need recycled power structures. It does not need elite manoeuvring disguised as diplomacy,” the statement said. “It needs lawful transition, accountability, federal representation, and genuine inclusion.”

Samuel Mut Gai Dhap, the alliance’s chairman, said the outcome of the continental diplomacy in Addis Ababa would be a litmus test for the effectiveness of African institutions.

“The South Sudanese people are watching. The continent is watching,” he said. “History will judge whether this Summit strengthens peace or tolerates its obstruction.”

The country has faced chronic instability since gaining independence in 2011. International donors and Western powers have frequently expressed frustration over the slow pace of the transition and the lack of accountability for past atrocities.

The AU and IGAD have been central to mediating the peace negotiations but have faced challenges in enforcing the implementation of signed agreements.