The 39th African Union Submit in Addis Ababa, known as C5 on South Sudan peace and stability.

By Lul Gatkuoth Gatluak, USA

This past weekend, on Saturday and Sunday February 14-15, the 39th ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) was held at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The Session was held under the outgoing chairpersonship of H.E. João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, President of the Republic of Angola and Chairperson of the African Union for 2025.

The session had also welcomed the assumption of the office by H.E. Évariste Ndayishimiye, President of the Republic of Burundi, as a new Chairperson of the African Union for the year 2026.

The summit was hosted by H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed, the able Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and attended by the world’s dignitary personalities included H.E. António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations; the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States; H.E. the President of the State of Palestine; and H.E. Giorgia Meloni, President of the Council of Ministers of Italy.

The theme of the function is focusing on Promotion of Africa’s growth and economic development by championing citizen inclusion and increased cooperation and integration of African states.

The theme had also emphasized the assurance of a sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063.  Then at the sidelines, there have been strategic meetings of the Regional Economic Communities on specific urgent matters facing the achievements of the African Union Agenda 2063, on top of which is the status of peace and security in Africa.

One major issue amongst others has been the new position of the African Union’s High-Level Ad Hoc Committee on South Sudan, known as the (C5) which comprises five countries of South Africa as the chair, Rwanda, Chad, Algeria and Nigeria, respectively.

At their sideline interaction, the Ad-hoc Committee exchanged views on how to move forward effectively to engage South Sudanese delegations, particularly president Salva Kiir. Below, one will address some of the Ad hoc Committee demands and Salva Kiir reaction in responding to their demands.

Profoundly, the position of the AU High Level Ad hoc Committee on South Sudan is the quest to South Sudan warring parties to re-engage in repairing the broken Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

The committee emphasizes inclusive dialogue, peace, security, and the necessity of holding credible elections that have been scheduled to take place in December 2026. The meeting was chaired by H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa.

In attendance were Presented Salva Kiir Mayardit, the Prime Minister of Algeria representing Abdelkarim Teboune, the vice president of Nigeria representing Bola Ahmed Timubu, the Prime Minister of Rwanda representing President Paul Kagame and a representative of H.E. Mahamat Idris Deby.

Also, in attendance were Ismail Oguelleh, President of Djibouti and the chairperson of East African organization IGAD; Dr. Abiy Ahmed Ali of Ethiopia; Kenya president William Ruto; Hassan Mohmud of Somalia; the vice president of Uganda representing Yoweri Museveni and Jean Pieme Lacroix of the United Nations representing UN secretary General Antonio Gutierrez.

In his remarks during the sitting, the chairperson of the Ad hoc committee president Cyril Ramaphosa, underscored centrality of the Revitalized Agreement as the cornerstone for lasting stability, calling for its full and faithful implementation, sustained inclusive dialogue, and reaffirming the AU’s continued support for peace, constitutional order, and sustainable development in South Sudan.

The committee called for an immediate ceasefire and an end to hostilities across the country and urged the release of political detainees, including First Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar.

Ramaphosa said minimum standards should be identified and implemented to enable South Sudanese citizens to exercise their democratic rights. These include credible preparations, sufficient funding for electoral institutions, improved security conditions and progress on key transitional tasks such as the unification of armed forces.

The talks also endorsed closer coordination between the C5, IGAD and the AU Commission. An oversight mechanism involving the AU Commission chairperson and three IGAD heads of state to monitor and support implementation of the agreed measures throughout 2026.

While pledging regional backing, Ramaphosa emphasized that responsibility for delivering a peaceful transition ultimately rests with the South Sudanese leader’s shoulder.

In his closing remarks, Ramaphosa thanked Kiir and his delegation for attending the meeting and noted that the world’s youngest nation has endured what he called a “difficult and complex journey” towards peace, stability and democracy.

He said South Sudan’s government and people continued to look to the African Union, the regional Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the United Nations for solidarity and support.

Beside Ramaphosa’s remarks, Kenyan President William Rut also took part and told the meeting that regional leaders were working to secure what he described as a “peaceful and successful conclusion” to South Sudan’s transition.

He said regional leaders are working with all stakeholders to stabilize the peace and security situation in South Sudan as the country prepares for elections in December 2026.

According to the Kenyan leader, the process is anchored in robust and inclusive dialogue involving all relevant parties, including hold-out groups and those excluded from the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity.

On their part, South Sudanese government delegation led by President Salva Kiir, expressed commitment to the agreed roadmap but asked that support be provided without what it termed “undue interference”.

Regional leaders said they would respect South Sudan’s sovereignty while continuing to offer advice and assistance. The summit was also marked by public speculation regarding President Kiir’s physical condition.

The 74-year-old leader was seen walking with visible difficulty, prompting a wave of concern and debate across social media platforms. While the South Sudanese government delegation did not officially comment on the president’s health, a short video of him sparked renewed questions about his fitness to lead the country through a demanding electoral period.

The AU has also proposed a high-level peace retreat that would take place in South Africa for South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar, aimed at resolving rising political tensions and preventing the collapse of the 2018 peace deal.

The initiative, supported by the AU-C5, IGAD, and the UN,  and all of these entities calls for the immediate, unconditional release of Machar and other detained opposition leaders, but one doubt Salva Kiir will allow that.

Upon his return to Juba from the 39th African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, President Salva Kiir firmly ruled out that there will not be any further delays to the planned December 2026 general elections. He emphasized that the transitional period will not be extended, aiming to allow citizens to democratically elect their leaders.

In Reality, Salva Kiir is not talking about an election that will include potential candidates like Dr. Riek Machar or people like Dr. Lam Akyol.  He wants an election that could be conducted with a stick as his opponent.

That is why he wants Dr. Riek Machar to be kept under house arrest and influence Dr. Lam Akol party members to relieve him so that Lam will not have a party to run for.

In some extent, it seems like African Union leaders and regional bodies IGAD, still do not learn Salva Kiir.  They need to know that Salva Kiir is a flip flap leader who has a history of political manoeuvres and intentionally doesn’t want to implement peace agreements. They need to realize that about him.

One would like to remind you that, it was just last March when former Prime Minister of Kenya Raila was delegated by Keny’s President William Ruto to spearhead a dialogue between President Salva Kiir and the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar following reports of Dr Riek Machar’s house arrest.

When the news of his arrest broke, President Ruto unequivocally announced Odinga’s delegation, after he had made consultations with President Kiir, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Dr.  Abiy Ahmed among others with an intention to save the peace; other delegations from other world organizations including Honourable Mohamed Khaled, the Head of the African union (AU) Peace and Security Council and Algerian Ambassador; Salva didn’t listen to their advice.

You are dealing with a monster and the King of the fictional Zamunda the home of Akeem Joffer, the crown prince played by Eddie Murphy. Before saliva dried, he will come up with different positions that will not favor lasting peace.

In one’s opinion, the  AU’s approach is mostly supporting the position of the existing government due to its agreement with the 2026 election which has been scheduled to take place in December.

There are many reasons that make impossible for an election to be conducted. One, census had not been carried out, refugee has not been repatriated, and permanent constitution has not been written. Above all, the environment in South Sudan is not conducive for an election.

In summary, this article has analyzed the 39th ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union (AU) that was held at the AU Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Though the summit focused heavily on Africa in general, there has also been many sidelines strategic meetings on specific urgent matters facing the achievements of the African Union Agenda 2063, on top of which is the status of peace and security in Africa.

One major issue amongst others has been the new position of the African Union’s High-Level Ad Hoc Committee on South Sudan, known as the (C5) which comprises five countries of South Africa as the chair, Rwanda, Chad, Algeria and Nigeria.

These committee set a new roadmap and state out some conditions to safeguard the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict (R-ARCSS) and the facilitation of scheduled elections.

The AU, primarily through the High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan (C5), aims to balance supporting the incumbent government with pushing for, political reforms, and the immediate cessation of violence.

It remains to be seen whether Salva Kiir who always flip flap, defies orders, intentionally oppose peace implementation, will agree with the AU Adhoc committee’s new roadmap and demands on South Sudan.

Respectively,

Lul Gatkuoth Gatluak.

The author is a political commentator. He can be reached at lu**********@***il.com