By Jenifer James
The African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson, Mahmoud Youssouf Ali, dispatches a high-level delegation of the AU Panel of the Wise to Juba, which will arrive on Wednesday, to engage with all the stakeholders to de-escalate tensions and promote dialogue.
In a statement which was issued on Monday, the chairperson of the African Union, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, stated that the panel will meet President Salva Kiir Mayardit and engage key stakeholders, including the Vice Presidency, R-ARCSS institutions, Constitution-Making and Electoral bodies (NEC, NCRC, PPC), SSPDF officers, RJMEC, CTSAMVM, IGAD, and other relevant stakeholders.
The African Union Mission in South Sudan invited Nicholas Haysom, UN SRSG, to meet with the panel to provide an opportunity to discuss the implementation of the deal in a broader way.
“Following the postponement of the elections and extension of the transition period, to exchange views, particularly on the current security situation in the country, and explore ways to facilitate the implementation of the remaining tasks of the R-ARCSS towards peaceful elections and successful transition,” the statement reads.
The panel visit follows that of IGAD envoy and former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who met with President Kiir and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni. Odinga was denied access by Kiir to meet with Machar in his efforts to address the conflict.
Meanwhile, the civil society activist Ter Manyang, in his statement to the media on Tuesday, urged President Ruto to send Raila Odinga back to meet Machar and called on the AU Panel of the Wise to first engage with religious leaders and civil society before meeting President Kiir and Machar to address key issues affecting the country.
“The Centre for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), an advocacy organisation, urged the African Union Panel of the Wise to meet with civil society and religious leaders before their discussions with Kiir and Machar. This would help ensure that they are informed about the key issues affecting the country,” Ter stated.
According to Ter the Civil Society, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the East African Community, the African Union, the United Nations, and Western countries have all called for de-escalation, dialogue, and the upholding of the peace agreement following the arrest of Machar, First Vice President and opposition leader of the SPLM-IO.
For the past month the security of the country was bad due to the conflict around and the arrest of the first Vice President, Dr Riek Machar, which created insecurity.