JUBA — South Sudan has welcomed a delegation from the African Union’s C-5 High-Level Committee, led by Algeria, for a mission aimed at assessing progress in the implementation of the country’s revitalized peace agreement and preparations for national elections scheduled for December 2026.
The delegation’s visit forms part of ongoing African Union efforts to support South Sudan’s peace process and democratic transition following years of conflict and political instability.
According to officials, the mission will evaluate the status of key provisions of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), including security arrangements, governance reforms, and other commitments considered essential for creating conditions conducive to credible elections.
The delegation is also expected to engage with government officials, political stakeholders, and regional partners to assess preparations for South Sudan’s general elections, which are scheduled to take place on December 22, 2026. The polls are widely viewed as a critical milestone in the country’s transition process and a test of the durability of the peace agreement.
The African Union has repeatedly emphasized the importance of inclusive political dialogue, institutional reforms, and peaceful political participation to ensure that the electoral process contributes to long-term stability and national reconciliation.
Observers say the visit reflects growing regional and continental efforts to encourage the full implementation of the peace accord and to help South Sudan address remaining challenges ahead of the elections.
The mission underscores the African Union’s continued commitment to supporting peace, stability, democratic governance, and sustainable development in South Sudan as the country moves toward what could be its first elections since the signing of the revitalized peace agreement.
South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011, has faced recurring political and security crises, prompting sustained engagement by the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and other international partners seeking to consolidate peace and strengthen democratic institutions.
