The Peace and Security Council of the African Union Calls for Dialogue and the Release of Riek Machar Teny to Restore Peace in South Sudan.

African Union’s Peace and Security Council Urges Dialogue for Stability in South Sudan

On March 31, 2025, the Peace and Security Council (PSC) of the African Union (AU), led by Morocco, issued a pressing call to the authorities of South Sudan to initiate a genuine and inclusive dialogue. This dialogue is deemed essential for restoring trust, national unity, and peace within the country. The statement came in response to the escalating political and security crisis in South Sudan, particularly following the arrest and detention of First Vice President Riek Machar Teny on March 26, 2025, in Juba.

The Council urged all stakeholders to exercise restraint, avoid any actions that could exacerbate tensions, and prioritize dialogue and mediation to peacefully resolve disputes. It emphasized that such approaches are crucial for fostering an environment conducive to peace and sustainable development.

Special attention was directed toward the situation of Riek Machar Teny and his spouse, with an urgent and unconditional demand for their immediate release. The PSC stressed the need to ensure the safety and well-being of Riek Machar and his immediate family, while highlighting that all political disputes should be settled through dialogue, in accordance with the mechanisms established by the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.

The Council also noted that recent events have jeopardized the progress made in peace consolidation under the Revitalized Agreement signed on September 12, 2018. These developments threaten the fragile stability of both the country and the surrounding region. The PSC reaffirmed that this agreement remains the most viable and relevant tool for achieving lasting peace, stability, and national reconciliation, calling on all signatories and non-signatories to ensure its full implementation.

To address the ongoing crisis, the Council requested the Chairperson of the AU Commission to urgently send a high-level delegation to South Sudan, led by the Panel of the Wise. This delegation is tasked with de-escalating tensions, negotiating a ceasefire, and revitalizing dialogue among the parties to protect the integrity of the Revitalized Agreement. Additionally, the AU’s High-Level Ad Hoc Committee (C5) on South Sudan has been encouraged to continue its efforts to support peace initiatives led by the AU and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

Finally, the PSC called upon the international community, including IGAD and the United Nations, to enhance their support for the implementation of the peace agreement and efforts to stabilize South Sudan, in order to ensure lasting peace in the country.