According to the presidency, Kiir reaffirmed his “unwavering dedication” to fully implementing the accord and pledged close cooperation with the African Union to promote peace and stability nationwide. Minister of Foreign Affairs Monday Semaya Kumba reiterated the government’s commitment, stressing the importance of sustained engagement with the AU on peace and security challenges.
The AUPSC delegation, led by Dr. Mohammed Khaled, Algeria’s Ambassador to Ethiopia and current chair of the council, said its mission aimed to explore how the AU could further support South Sudan’s peace process and prepare for the planned December 2026 elections.
However, the visit drew criticism from Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, the exiled SPLM-IO Deputy Chairman and First Deputy Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly.
In a statement issued Sunday, Oyet accused the government of cancelling scheduled meetings between the AU delegation and other stakeholders, claiming the mission had been reduced to talks with the SPLM-In Government leadership.
“It is now a Mission of the African Union to SPLM-IG, Kiir, [and] Bol [Mel] and has nothing to do with [the peace agreement] and the resolution of the ongoing violence,” Oyet said, warning that dialogue with only one side undermines the peace process.
Despite the criticism, Monday’s meeting was described by the presidency as a significant diplomatic engagement, reflecting a renewed regional commitment to South Sudan’s peace efforts.
The delegation’s visit comes as several attempts and persistent calls to free opposition leader Riek Machar, a key signatory to the peace agreement, have been ignored by the Kiir regime.
In a letter addressed to the international community last week, Deng Bol Aruai, the Chairman of the South Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, stated that “Time and again, it [the government] has shown that it is not a serious partner for peace. We all know this.”
