Adopted by the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU) at its 1265^th meeting held on 18 March 2025 on the Consideration of the Situation in South Sudan.

The Peace and Security Council,

Recalling its previous decisions and pronouncements on the situation in South Sudan, particularly, Communiqués [PSC/PR/COMM.1219 (2024), adopted by the PSC at its 1219^th meeting held on 28 June 2024;  and [PSC/PR/COMM. 1202 (2024)], adopted by the PSC at its 1202^nd meeting held on 27 February 2024;

Mindful of the outstanding transitional tasks and the impending end of the Transition in February 2027;  

Reiterating the unwavering commitment of the AU, as a guarantor of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), signed on 12 September 2018, to support the full implementation of the Agreement; 

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 African Continent as a whole;

Taking note of the opening remarks by H.E. Ambassador Mohamed Arrouchi, the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Morocco to the AU and Chairperson of the PSC for March 2025; the introductory Statement by H.E. Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security; H.E. Ambassador Professor Joram Mukama Biswaro, the Special Representative of the Chairperson of the Commission for South Sudan and Head of the AU Liaison Office in Juba; as well as the statements by the representatives of the Republic of South Sudan; the Republic of South Africa (as  Chairperson of the AU Ad-Hoc Committee for South Sudan (C5)), as well as by Dr. Ismail Wais, the Special Envoy of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to South Sudan; by H.E. Ambassador Major General (rtd) George Aggrey Owinow, the Interim Chairperson of the Reconstititued Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC)  and by H.E. Nicholas Haysom the Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) of the United Nations (UN) for South Sudan and Head of UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS); and

Acting under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council:

1. Commends the Reconstituted Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) and the people of South Sudan for their commitment to maintain peace, security and stability in the country through sustained dialogue, consensus-building, and tireless efforts to implement the remaining tasks under the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS);

2. Commends in particular, H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit for taking the initiative to hold the inter-party dialogue and the Tumaini Initiative towards the organization of inclusive and credible peaceful elections in December 2026, as well as the transition to democracy; in this regard, urges the RTGoNU to draw up a clear and well-defined timetable for elections;

3. Also commends all parties to the Tumaini Initiative for committing to the peace process, and urges them to resolve all differences and work tirelessly to reach consensus through agreed protocols; and in the same context underscores the importance of harmonizing the Initiative with the R-ARCSS; furthermore, urges the 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;

4. Notes with deep concern, the escalation of tensions between the White Army and the South Sudan People's Defence Forces in Nasir County, Western Equatoria, and Western Bahr el-Ghazal, resulting in loss of lives, property, and displacement, which threaten the peace process and in the same context, unequivocally condemns the attack on the UNMISS helicopters that resulted in the loss of lives and severe injuries and expresses deep condolences to the victims' families;

5. Strongly condemns the violence against civilians, particularly women and children, which constitute a grave violation of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law and in this respect, encourages the authorities to investigate and hold the perpetrators to account while taking immediate action to ensure the protection of citizens;

6. Appeals for calm and restraint; calls for an immediate end to hostilities and adherence to the ceasefire arrangements; and strongly encourages all signatory parties to the R-ARCSS to respect uphold the obligations, desist from undermining peace, redouble efforts in mutual trust and confidence building measures to de-escalate tensions, 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;

7. Further commends the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) under the chairship of H.E. Ismail Omar Guelleh, President of the Republic of Djibouti for  the sustained efforts in accompanying the transition process in South Sudan, particularly,  for the convening of the 43^rd Extra-Ordinary Summit of IGAD Heads of State and Government on the Situation in South Sudan, on 12 March 2025; in this regard, welcomes the Communique of the 43^rd Extra-Ordinary Summit of IGAD Heads of State and Government on the Situation in South Sudan;

8. Takes note of the commencement of the newly extended transition period from 22 February 2025 to February 2027, and strongly urges all parties to work together towards the implementation of the outstanding transitional tasks;

9. Encourages the 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;

10. Also encourages the 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;

11. Reiterates the call for the AU Commission to include support towards the electoral process in South Sudan among the priority projects, including through the use of the AU Peace Fund; and also Calls upon Member States in a position to do so, and the international community to mobilize resources to facilitate the successful organization of credible elections in December 2026;

12. Renews the call on the RTGoNU for the rapid deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces (NUFs) 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; and in this context, reiterates the call for the lifting of the arms embargo imposed on South Sudan to enable the RTGoNU to expedie the unification of NUFs and undertake the necessary security sector reform to more effectively address the security challenges facing the country;

13. Once again expresses deep appreciation to the AU High-Level Ad Hoc Committee of Five for South Sudan (C5), IGAD, the IGAD Partners Forum (IPF), UNMISS,  R-JMEC, the Troika (Norway, United States of America and United Kingdom), 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; 

14. Further encourages  the RTGoNU, with the support of the AU Commission and partners, to expedite the DDR/SSR programmes and activities in the Republic of South Sudan, and adopt a comprehensive, coordinated, inclusive and transparent process for the collection and disposal of arms, and stockpile management as a contribution towards silencing the guns in the country;

15. Commends the Government and People of South Sudan for their exemplary hospitality in hosting Sudanese refugees and South Sudanese returnees, despite facing their own severe humanitarian challenges and, in this context, encourages AU Member States and international partners to scale up support to humanitarian agencies in the country to address the escalating food insecurity, public health crises, and climate-induced displacements affecting vulnerable populations;

16. Also commends the efforts of humanitarian actors and appeals for additional contributions towards effectively responding to the humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing crisis in Sudan and by the flood situation;

17. Urges the RTGoNU to establish the Special Reconstruction Fund (SRF) and the Board of Special Reconstruction Fund (BSRF), and requests the IGAD and AU Chairpersons, as well as the UN Secretary-General to collaborate with the BSRF towards the convening of the South Sudan Pledging Conference and to support the implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement;

18. Recalls the September 2023 Economic Conference and its recommendation for the diversification of the economy and promoting inclusive and sustainable growth and development in the country, and calls on the RTGoNU to implement the recommendations;

19. Reiterates the call on the RTGoNU to work 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;

20. Commends the 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 to working in  implementing the outstanding transitional tasks;

21. Also commends the 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 encourages the Committee to work in collaboration with the AU Commission in mobilizing the  international community to support the RTGoNU financially and materially;

22. Requests the C5 to support the airlifting of the military equipment from the Continental Logistics Base in Douala, Cameroon, to South Sudan to aid the training and deployment of the NUFs;

23. Reiterates the request to the Chairperson of the AU Commission to deploy a High-Level delegation in South Sudan to engage the parties on the ground to address the current conflict and to expeditiously address the institutional capacity challenges facing the AU Mission in South Sudan to enable the Mission to more effectively deliver on its mandate; and

24. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.

COMMENTS