AUC’s Mahmoud Youssouf Sends High-Level Panel To South Sudan After Raila’s Setback
Mahmoud Youssouf Ali, chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), has promised to deploy a high-level group to help de-escalate the situation.
This comes only days after Raila Odinga, Kenya’s special envoy to South Sudan, reported that he was denied the opportunity to see South Sudan’s First Vice President, Riek Machar. Machar is currently under home arrest.
Earlier today, on an IGAD mission, I had a detailed and fruitful discussion with my brother, H.E President Salva Kiir, in Juba, South Sudan, regarding the political situation in the country. I am encouraged by the possibility of a resolution to the conflict. I will be briefing… pic.twitter.com/OfkPfo0rZ3
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) March 28, 2025
On Monday, March 31, 2025, Mahmoud confirmed his conversations with President Salva Kiir, describing them as warm and direct.
During their conversation, Mahmoud told President Salva Kiir of the necessity of adopting communication to help prevent war in the fledgling nation.
To strengthen the ongoing mediation, Mahmoud agreed to send a panel to South Sudan.
He did not, however, immediately reveal those chosen to assist in the negotiation of a peace agreement in South Sudan.
AU Commission Chairperson H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf (@ymahmoudali) to Deploy Panel of the Wise for South Sudan Mediation.
— African Union (@_AfricanUnion) March 31, 2025
Read @ https://t.co/IFQFKVf7vO#SouthSudan pic.twitter.com/F1z9CXfdDv
“To enhance mediation efforts and support the full implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), the Chairperson is dispatching a high-level delegation of the AU Panel of the Wise to Juba to engage with all the stakeholders to de-escalate tensions and promote dialogue,” the statement shared by the African Union read in part.
“The AU calls on all parties to uphold all the provisions of R-ARCSS and ensure its full implementation,” it added.
“The AU remains actively engaged with regional and international partners, including IGAD, the EAC, and the United Nations, to support South Sudan’s transition to durable peace and democracy.”
The latest involvement came after Raila returned to Nairobi after visiting Kiir in South Sudan.
Raila told the press on Saturday, March 29, 2025, that he was denied the opportunity to meet Riek Machar, who is under house arrest.
Raila stated that South Sudan notified him that investigations into the killing of the general were underway, and thus instructed him to meet with Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
AUC’s Mahmoud Youssouf Sends High-Level Panel To South Sudan After Raila’s Setback
