According to a schedule, the panel, led by former Burundian President Domitien Ndayizeye, met with President Salva Kiir on the first day of their arrival among other groups, subsequently
By James Chatim
Minister of Information and Government Spokesperson, Michael Makuei Lueth, said the African Union’s Panel of the Wise (PoW) was expected to leave the country yesterday.
African Union mediators who arrived in Juba this week for talks aimed at averting another civil war in the country have held talks with the government, the stakeholders, and civil society groups in an attempt to de-escalate tensions in the country.
Makuei told The City Review yesterday (on Sunday) that after the completion of their mission, the panel was due to leave in the evening.
However, he did not comment when asked about the details of the meeting with the AU panel of the wise.
According to a schedule, the panel, led by former Burundian President Domitien Ndayizeye, met with President Salva Kiir on the first day of their arrival.
Meanwhile, they also met with the faith-based groups, civil society organizations, and people with disabilities.
In their meeting with the State non-actors, the panel was tasked to push for the lifting of the house arrest of the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar as well as members of his party who are still under detention.
Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress (CEPO), disclosed that the discussions focused on the de-escalation of the recent outbreak of deadly conflict in the country.
They also called for an urgent ceasefire and recommitment of the parties to the cessation of hostility agreement and security arrangement agreement signed in 2018.
He said the stakeholders urged the AU Panel of the Wise to engage in the release of the political detainees and the lifting of the house arrest of the First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar.
“We, the stakeholders, composed of faith-based groups, civil society organizations, youth-led organizations, women-led organizations and representatives of persons with disabilities, yesterday met with the AU Panel of Wise. Our discussion was focused on the agenda of de-escalating the recent breakout of the deadly violence and forging a way forward for handling the political disagreements among our political leaders in the incumbent government of national unity,” Yakani explained.
The AU Panel of the Wise arrived in Juba on Wednesday April 2 afternoon, following their deployment by the African Union Commission Chairperson, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, with a mission to de-escalate the tensions in the country.
“The chairperson calls upon all parties to recommit to the principals of dialogue, cooperation, and respect for human rights as essential pillars of a peaceful and prosperous South Sudan. The Chairperson will deploy the AU Panel of the Wise to Juba as part of efforts to de-escalate the situation,” read part of a statement from the AU Commission.
Hon. Michael Makuei said that after the completion of their mission, the panel was due to leave in the evening.