 of his government’s commitment to peace and stability as South Sudan prepares for its long-awaited general elections scheduled for December this year.){kind=link}
By Otto Abut
President Salva Kiir Mayardit has assured the African Union (AU) of his government’s commitment to peace and stability as South Sudan prepares for its long-awaited general elections scheduled for December this year.
The assurance was given on Thursday, January 15, 2026, during a meeting in Juba with a delegation from the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee on South Sudan, commonly known as the AU C5. The delegation was led by South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola.
President Kiir reiterated that his government remains focused on maintaining peace, implementing key provisions of the peace agreement, and creating a stable environment conducive to free, fair, and credible elections.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Minister Lamola said the AU team is in South Sudan to assess the status of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and to review progress made toward election preparations.
He urged all political actors and stakeholders to exercise restraint, maintain unity, and work collectively to ensure the country remains peaceful during the pre-election period.
“The success of the elections depends on sustained calm, cooperation among parties, and the full implementation of the peace agreement,” Lamola said.
South Sudan’s 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, signed in Addis Ababa after years of civil war, brought together President Kiir and opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar, ending widespread fighting that erupted in 2013. The deal laid out a roadmap for peace, including the formation of a Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity, security sector reforms, constitution-making, and elections.
While the agreement significantly reduced large-scale violence, implementation has faced repeated delays, particularly on key issues such as security arrangements, unification of forces, constitutional reforms, and election preparedness. The upcoming December elections are intended to mark the end of the transitional period and the return to democratic governance.
Meanwhile, South Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Monday Semaya Kumba, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to consolidating peace, holding elections, and strengthening cooperation with regional and international partners.
He emphasized that the government values the AU’s continued engagement and support in guiding South Sudan toward a stable and democratic future.
The AU C5 Committee, which includes Algeria, Chad, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa, was established by the African Union to engage directly with South Sudanese stakeholders. Its mandate is to help build political consensus, mobilize regional support, and accelerate the full implementation of the 2018 peace agreement.
The visit comes amid growing regional and international focus on whether South Sudan is ready to conduct its first post-independence elections, seen as a critical step toward lasting peace and political stability