DECLARATION OF THE AFRICAN UNION HIGH-LEVEL AD HOC COMMITTEE FOR SOUTH SUDAN (C5) PLUS SUMMIT ON THE MARGINS OF 39^TH ORDINARY SESSION OF THE ASSEMBLY OF AFRICAN UNION HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT

ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA

15 FEBRUARY 2026

DECLARATION 

WE, the Heads of State and Government of the African Union (AU) High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan (C5), under the chairship of H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, President of the Republic of South Africa, the Chairperson of the Committee, gathered on the margins of the thirty-ninth (39^th) Ordinary Session of the Assembly in Addis Ababa on 15 February 2026.

TAKING NOTE of the Introductory Statements by H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the AU Commission and presentations by H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan and other Members of the C5 and other invited guests.

REITERATING the AU’s respect for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Republic of South Sudan.

REAFFIRMING the solidarity of the AU with the people and the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) in their legitimate aspirations to restore durable peace, security, stability and development not only in their country, but also for regional stability in line with our collective aspirations to ‘Silencing the Guns’ on the African Continent as a whole.

WELCOMING the confidence demonstrated by the President of the Republic of South Sudan in the AU, and in particular the C5, in supporting the peace processes in the country and COMMENDING all AU Member States supporting the peace efforts in South Sudan in the spirit of pan-africanism, collective responsibility and commitment.

ACKNOWLEDGING the critical role played by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) since its establishment in 2011, particularly its contributions to supporting the peace process, preventing conflict, protecting civilians, and facilitating humanitarian access and URGES continued cooperation of the RTGONU in ensuring UNMISS effective mandate implementation.

 

Hereby declare the following:

1. EXPRESS DEEP CONCERN over the deteriorating and increasingly tense political and security situation in South Sudan and the potential of a full-scale civil war, in violation of the Ceasefire Agreement and which is worsening the humanitarian situation;

2. DEMAND for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire and cessation of hostilities towards a permanent ceasefire; and CALL for the expedition of the unification of forces;

3. TAKE NOTE of the progress made on the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement for Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and STRESS that the Revitalized Agreement for Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) remains the paramount instrument for the resolution of the conflict in South Sudan and CALL for its full implementation;

4. URGE the parties to the conflict to prioritise dialogue as the most constructive and effective means of resolving outstanding issues particularly  those related to the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement; in this regard REQUEST the RTGoNU to resume the national dialogue which is meaningful, thorough, inclusive and transparent and ENSURE that all stakeholders concerned  participate in the dialogue without pre conditions with a view to building trust for the stability of the country;

5. CALL on the leaders of the Revitalized Government and all its stakeholders to prioritise the organization of elections by December 2026 in order to meet the aspiration of the South Sudanese people in ending the extended transitional period by February 2027 and APPEAL to all parties to engage in this electoral process; URGENTLY Calls on the Government of South Sudan to provide the requisite substantive and financial support to the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC), the National Elections Commission (NEC) and the Political Parties Council which are essential for ensuring free, fair and credible elections scheduled for December 2026; EMPHASIZE that there should not be any other extension of the transition; 

6. DIRECT the AU Commission to coordinate and collaborate with the relevant institutions of RTGoNU to develop a clear roadmap for elections and to provide technical and financial support to create conducive environment for the organization of the free, credible and inclusive elections in December 2026 inclusive of all citizens eligible to participate in the elections;

7. CALL UPON international partners, donor agencies, and humanitarian actors to continue mobilising resources to meet the pressing needs of affected populations and address the worsening humanitarian situation;

8. REQUEST Member States, particularly the C5 to scale up support to South Sudan, including deployment of technical experts on Disarmament Demobilisation and Reintegration, and on Security Sector Reform, as well as provide financial and logistical support to the Government and related institutions to support the Government’s efforts to facilitate the holding of inclusive, peaceful, free, fair and credible elections as scheduled;

9. CALL UPON regional and internationals partners to provide technical resources and predictable funding mechanisms to facilitate the successful conclusion of the peace process;

10. CALL ON the RTGoNU to take urgent steps towards consolidating the progress achieved and to lay the groundwork for a successful organization of the elections including the consideration of releasing all political detainees, especially Dr. Riek Machar, 1^st Vice President, in the spirit of national cohesion and reconciliation;

11. REITERATE  the call  for the immediate appointment of an AU High Representative/Special Envoy for South Sudan, at the level of a former Head of State/Government, in order to provide  strategic support towards durable peace and stability in South Sudan; The AU Special Envoy will work with IGAD appointees and the C5, and will have an oversight role to monitor and support the implementation of this process in South Sudan

12. CALL for coordination and harmonization of the efforts of all actors in South Sudan, in particular AU, IGAD, UN and the African Members of the UN Security Council (A3); in this regard, AGREE to harmonise the efforts of the C5 and the Tumaini Initiative, and to work closely with IGAD to assist South Sudan in successfully concluding its political transition, reaffirming the R-ARCSS as the viable mechanism for durable peace and security in the country; ENCOURAGE regular engagement between the C5, IGAD and the AUC on the implementation of the peace process in South Sudan.

COMMENTS