Another African Union delegation has arrived in Juba as diplomatic pressure mounts on South Sudan’s leaders to revive the fragile peace process, following recent resolutions by the African Union.
The delegation, representing the African Union Peace and Security Council, is led by Hirut Zemene Kassa, Ethiopia’s Permanent Representative to the AU and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. During their visit, the envoys are expected to meet senior government officials and other stakeholders to explore ways to strengthen political stability and accelerate the implementation of the peace agreement.
Their arrival comes just weeks after a separate high-level AU mission visited Juba with a similar mandate. That earlier delegation was led by Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, who serves as the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. His team engaged the Government of South Sudan on the status of peace implementation and reaffirmed continental support for the country’s long-delayed elections.
The renewed diplomatic activity follows AU resolutions adopted earlier this year, which emphasized urgent confidence-building measures among South Sudanese parties. Central to those resolutions is the call for the release of political detainees, including Riek Machar, leader of the SPLM-IO, whose detention has become a major sticking point in the stalled peace process.
The ongoing restrictions and legal proceedings involving Machar and members of his party have raised concerns among regional and international actors, who warn that continued political tensions risk undermining progress made under previous agreements.
The AU’s latest intervention underscores growing concern that without immediate steps—such as dialogue, detainee releases, and security reforms—South Sudan could face further instability. Observers say the back-to-back visits signal a more assertive continental push to ensure that commitments made by South Sudanese leaders translate into tangible progress on the ground.
