Ramaphosa Calls for Unity as African Union Summit Focuses on South Sudan’s Future
President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa opened the second day of the African Union Ad-hoc Committee Summit on South Sudan on Sunday, , bringing together representatives from the African Union, the East African Community, and the United Nations. The summit is aimed at bolstering the peace process in the world’s youngest nation as it prepares for elections later this year.
South Sudan, which gained independence in , has faced immense challenges since its inception, including widespread famine, persistent political instability, and devastating conflict. According to reports, more than 100,000 people have died as a result of fighting between the army and parliamentary groups. The current summit seeks to unify efforts from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the UN, the African Union, and the East African Community to encourage reconciliation and stability.
Ramaphosa emphasized the critical importance of prioritizing urgent interventions to ensure free, fair, and credible elections for the people of South Sudan. He described as a pivotal year for the country, calling for enhanced mediation to resolve outstanding issues before voters head to the polls in December. This call for action came on the final day of the African Union Ad-hoc Committee Summit, which was jointly convened with the United Nations, IGAD, and the East African Community.
The summit’s focus on South Sudan’s elections comes after a period of prolonged instability. Barely two years after achieving independence, the nation descended into civil war in , pitting President Salva Kiir against his then-Vice President, Riek Machar. The conflict lasted for years, resulting in nearly 400,000 deaths before a peace deal was signed in .
The African Union’s involvement reflects a broader commitment to peace and security on the continent. The Presidency noted that this was the first meeting of the Committee at the level of Heads of State since , when it convened on the margins of the 31st Ordinary Session of the African Union Assembly. The Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) was also signed in , but implementation has been slow.
President Ramaphosa’s remarks underscore the international community’s continued concern for South Sudan’s future. The summit represents a renewed push to support the country’s transition to a stable and democratic society. Pretoria, according to Ramaphosa, welcomes the South Sudanese government’s stated intention to hold elections and to convene a national dialogue to address remaining challenges before the electoral process begins.
The challenges facing South Sudan are multifaceted, encompassing not only political and security concerns but also widespread poverty and corruption. The nation’s struggles highlight the complex difficulties inherent in state-building and the importance of sustained international support for fragile states. The outcome of the upcoming elections and the success of the national dialogue will be crucial in determining whether South Sudan can finally achieve lasting peace and stability.
