Juba, South Sudan
February 24, 2022—A team of 15 delegates from the African Union Peace and Security Council (AUPSC) has arrived in Juba on a three-day mission to evaluate the progress in the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.
Addressing the media on arrival, Kenya’s permanent representative to the African Union, Ambassador Jean Kamau, who doubles as the leader of the delegation, said they came to Juba in order to review the peace process and provide support to the people of South Sudan.
“The Peace and Security Council of the African Union is here for three days at a historic moment when the government of South Sudan is celebrating its two years in office but also to come and review the peace process here in South Sudan,” Ambassador Kamau Told media.
“To assess the achievements which have been made, to look at the challenges and really to provide solidarity and support to the people of South Sudan.”she added.
Amb. Kamua stressed that what is important to emphasize is that the peace agreement has brought about peace and stability but emphasize that it’s important for the parties to meet the implementation deadlines.
“So, within the period that has passed and what is left, we want to know what are the challenges, what are the key support areas that we (AU) need to put more emphasis in to ensure that we meet the deadline. So we are here on a mission, we are just beginning,” She explained.
She emphasized that her 15 member delegation will meet the different stakeholders to the 2018 revitalized peace agreement to see how best the AU peace and security can support South Sudan during the transition.
“We will be here for three days. We will talk to a cross-section of stakeholders from the government, the civil society, political parties, and some of the development partners just to get a sense of how the peace process is going, where are the challenges and how can the Peace and Security Council of the African Union continue to support South Sudan during this transition,” Ambassador Kamau said.
According to the 2018 peace deal, general elections must take place 60 days before the end of the transitional period.
Despite the past approaching deadlines, major areas of the peace agreements have not been implemented so far and that include the graduation of the Necessary Unified Forces, preparation of legal, constitutional amendment and constitutional frameworks for census and elections.
