Addis ababa: President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for 'urgent and unified action' to move South Sudan towards a path of peace and stability. The President delivered opening remarks at the meeting of the African Union (AU) Ad-hoc High Level Committee for South Sudan (C5) Plus Summit. The meeting was convened on the sidelines of the 39th Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of States and Government in Addis Ababa.

According to South African Government News Agency, President Ramaphosa stressed the importance of the decisions made in the coming months, which will determine whether South Sudan moves towards durable peace or reverts to instability. He urged for urgency, courage, and unity to foster a process that delivers inclusive dialogue, free, fair, and credible elections, and sustainable peace for the people of South Sudan.

The meeting, a collaboration between the United Nations, the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD), and the East African Community, marks the first time the committee has met at the level of Heads of State since 2018. This was the same year that the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) was signed. Despite the agreement, implementation remains slow, and the countries involved are committed to supporting the peace process in South Sudan.

The upcoming year is crucial for South Sudan, with elections expected in December. President Ramaphosa welcomed South Sudan's intention to hold elections and convene a national dialogue to resolve outstanding issues before the elections. He emphasised the necessity of a conducive political and security environment, as violence and conflict could derail the process. Additionally, all political and legal processes must be genuinely inclusive to reflect broad ownership, credibility, and legitimacy.

The summit also called for a clear, unified message urging all stakeholders to engage in dialogue without delay. Measures to build unity and facilitate reconciliation were encouraged, with support for appointing a former Head of State to mediate among the signatory parties to the Revitalisation Agreement and facilitate dialogue between President Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar.