The African Union (AU) has voiced worry about South Sudan’s First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar’s, house confinement and called for restraint as it sends its Panel of the Wise to Juba to de-escalate the situation.
SPLM-IO reported that its leader, Machar, was arrested on March 26, 2025, by security forces under President Kiir’s directive, along with his wife, Angelina Teny, and his team.
This led SPLM-IO to declare the collapse of the peace agreement.
AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf urged all parties to de-escalate tensions and uphold the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) for lasting peace and reconciliation.
“The African Union urges all concerned parties to exercise maximum restraint, refrain from any actions that could exacerbate tensions, and engage in constructive dialogue to resolve any outstanding issues through peaceful and legal means,” Ali stated.
The continent leader emphasizes that the well-being of the South Sudanese people must remain the top priority, with efforts focused on creating an environment conducive to lasting peace and development.
The AU expressed its solidarity with South Sudan and reiterated its strong support for the full and timely implementation of the peace agreement, affirming its commitment to collaborating with the South Sudanese government, regional and international partners, including the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and IGAD, to promote stability and inclusive governance in the country.
Though it’s not mentioned when the Panel of the Wise will arrive in Juba, the chairperson calls upon all parties to recommit to the principles of dialogue, cooperation, and respect for human rights as essential pillars of a peaceful and prosperous South Sudan.
The Panel of the Wise (PoW) is a consultative body of the African Union, composed of five appointed members with a mandate to provide opinions to the Peace and Security Council on issues relevant to conflict prevention, management, and resolution.