AU calls for dialogue between Kiir, Machar to mitigate crisis
The AU’s position was reinforced after a meeting between Vice President for the Service Cluster, Josephine Joseph Lagu, and Ambassador Joram Biswaro
By Emmanuel Mandella
The African Union (AU) has urged President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar to engage in direct dialogue to avert the ongoing political crisis.
The move, seen as a crucial step in preventing the country from sliding back into conflict, follows high-level discussions between AU officials and South Sudanese leaders.
During a meeting with the Vice President for Services Cluster, Josephine Lagu in Juba on Wednesday, AU Head of Liaison Office in South Sudan, Ambassador Joram Biswaro, underscored the importance of inclusive political dialogue. He emphasized that the AU stands ready to support efforts aimed at stabilizing the fragile peace in the country.
“If the people of South Sudan want peace, they can achieve it. The leaders, President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar must meet, and the earlier they do so, the better,” Biswaro stated.
“All parties to the peace agreement, as well as the general public, must rally behind them to ensure that the current political situation is de-escalated. President Kiir has repeatedly assured that South Sudan will not return to war, and that commitment must be upheld.”
The AU’s position was reinforced after a meeting between Vice President for the Service Cluster, Josephine Joseph Lagu, and Ambassador Biswaro. The discussions centered on the need for collaborative efforts between South Sudan’s government, IGAD, AU, and international partners like TROIKA, to address political uncertainties.
Meanwhile, Christopher Surur, Acting Press Secretary in the Office of Vice President Lagu, confirmed that the AU official had also conveyed condolences on the passing of General Majur, asking Lagu to extend them to President Kiir.
Echoing the sentiments, Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) also called on President Kiir and Dr. Machar to conduct an urgent dialogue to de-escalate tensions in the country.
“I am urging our leaders in the country to participate urgently in the dialogue, and we hope that the dialogue is the best option through which they can solve their problems.”
Yakani made the remarks during a press conference in Juba yesterday.
“As a civil society activist, I feel that this is a clear indication that our political leaders have chosen their political differences through violence.”
However, Yakani proposed a five-work point the parties must implement, including the immediate cessation of the hostilities, the urgent facilitation of dialogue between our leaders through the mediation of religious leaders.
The immediate rolling-out of the security arrangements, stop the confrontation language in the media including hate speech, hostile propaganda, and misinformation.
As South Sudan navigates a critical period in its peace implementation process, observers argue that meaningful dialogue between the country’s top leaders is essential. With growing concerns over escalating tensions, the AU’s intervention signals mounting pressure on Kiir and Machar to sit and dialogue to avert the crisis and restore stability in the country.
Calls to seize hostilities
Meanwhile, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urgent dialogue between the country’s leaders to de-escalate tensions and restore calm.
In a statement published on Wednesday, the UN is also calling for all parties to take immediate steps to protect civilians, prevent further displacement, and uphold their commitments under the ceasefire to avoid deepening the humanitarian crisis.
“To prevent a relapse into civil war, the Parties must recommit to the Revitalized Peace Agreement by ceasing all hostilities and strictly adhering to the ceasefire, resolving grievances through dialogue, and reconvening as a truly unified government,” said the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS, Nicholas Haysom.
In the past 24 hours, UNMISS said, clashes have reportedly taken place between the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) near Rejaf, south of Juba, and at Wunaliet, west of the capital city.
The situation in Upper Nile also remains volatile, with reports of further mobilization of armed forces and aerial bombardment of civilian areas, allegedly using devices containing a highly flammable liquid that acts as an accelerant on explosion, causing significant casualties and horrific injuries, the UN mission said.
“We encourage the President and First Vice President to lead efforts to prevent further military confrontation and restore calm by meeting to resolve differences and making a joint public statement reassuring all South Sudanese of their shared commitment to peace,” said Mr. Haysom.
“This will prove that their priority is to put the interests of their people ahead of their own by preventing a return to widespread conflict that will devastate, not only South Sudan, but the entire region.”