SOUTH SUDAN: African Union Intermediaries Land In Juba For Peace Talks
African Union mediators arrived in South Sudan’s capital Juba on Wednesday for negotiations to prevent a fresh civil conflict after First Vice President Riek Machar was placed under house arrest last week.
President Salva Kiir’s government has accused Machar, a longtime foe who led rebel forces during the 2013-18 war that killed hundreds of thousands, of attempting to incite a new insurrection.
Machar’s arrest last Wednesday came after weeks of warfare in the northern Upper Nile state between the military and the White Army militia.
Machar’s forces were aligned with the White Army during the Civil War, but they deny any contemporary links.
The AU delegation’s jet arrived in Juba on Wednesday afternoon, accompanied by a “Council of the Wise” comprised of former Burundian President Domitien Ndayizeye and former Kenyan judge Effie Owuor.
The AU Panel of the Wise arrived in Juba on 2 August on a solidarity & fact-finding mission on recent developments in South Sudan. Received by H.E. President Salva Kiir, the panel delivered a message from the AU Commission Chairperson & held constructive discussions with… 1/2 pic.twitter.com/oEVWyHrOyS
— African Union Political Affairs Peace and Security (@AUC_PAPS) April 2, 2025
Machar’s SPLM-IO party stated in a statement that it “warmly welcomes the arrival of the Council of Wise as part of ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions and support the peace process”.
On Tuesday, the AU’s Peace and Security Council issued a statement calling for Machar’s “immediate and unconditional release”.
The council stated that recent developments jeopardize the 2018 peace agreement that ended the fighting.
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Raila Odinga, Kenya’s former Prime Minister, visited Juba on Monday on behalf of an East African regional agency to mediate between the opposing factions.
Odinga met with Kiir, however, claimed he was not permitted to see Machar.
Analysts say Kiir, 73, appears to be attempting to shore up his position amid unrest within his own political camp, and that the war in neighboring Sudan has exacerbated security situations by causing an influx of weaponry.
The 2013-18 war was fought mostly along ethnic lines, with Dinka fighters backing Kiir and Nuer fighters supporting Machar.
SOUTH SUDAN: African Union Intermediaries Land In Juba For Peace Talks
