The African Union Commission has deployed a panel for mediation following the escalating tension in South Sudan.
In a statement released by AUC chairperson Mahmoud Youssouf, the commission made the move after talking to President Salva Kiir on the evolving political situation in the country. "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," stated Youssouf.
The commission has expressed solidarity with people of South Sudan, reaffirming commitment to dialogue, reconciliation, and lasting peace. The AU has called on all parties to uphold all the provisions of R-ARCSS and ensure its full implementation. AU has further promised to engage 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 move to send a special delegation comes days after Kenya's special envoy to South Sudan, Raila Odinga, went to Juba to mediate the escalating crisis with the two leaders involved-President Kiir and his first vice president Riek Machar.
Odinga had traveled at the request of President William Ruto to deliver a message to the two rivals but was denied access to speak to Machar who was under house arrest. .
