Activist urges AU to issue ‘actionable’ communique on South Sudan transition

A civil society activist has called on the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) to issue a practical and high-impact communique that addresses the core obstacles to South Sudan’s political transition.

The appeal follows the conclusion of a three-day assessment mission to Juba by an AU delegation led by Ambassador Hirut Zemene Kassa. From April 23 to April 25, 2026, the delegation met with national leaders and stakeholders to evaluate the status of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.

Edmond Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), emphasized that the expected AU statement must move beyond diplomatic rhetoric to address security and human rights concerns. He identified the enforcement of the ceasefire and the protection of civilians as urgent priorities.

“We are expecting that the statement should speak to the real and actual issues that are affecting a genuine and timely political transitional process in the country. Matters of the ceasefire must hold, and the military confrontation must be stopped. Safety and protection of civilians must be a primary responsibility of the conflicting armed groups.”

Yakani further urged the AUPSC to demand the release of political detainees and the creation of a secure environment for credible elections. He noted that a successful transition depends on safeguarding civic and political spaces to ensure freedom of expression for all citizens.

“We wish to see a very strong, concrete, tangible, and functional communique… ensuring that civic and political space for everybody to have the freedom of speech is protected. [The AU should] ensure the communique speaks to demanding the Government of National Unity to implement the resolutions of the AUPSC which they endorsed unanimously on March 28, 2020.”

The activist also highlighted the need for any amendments to the peace agreement to follow the procedures stipulated in Article 8.4 of the accord.

Civil society groups maintain that a clear and actionable outcome from the AU is essential to compel the transitional government to meet its standing commitments and advance the peace process toward a timely conclusion.