Former Tanzanian president Jakaya Kikwete said he is on a fact-finding mission in South Sudan after meeting President Salva Kiir, senior officials, political parties and allies of detained opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar, as efforts continue to revive the peace process.
Kikwete, Tanzania’s fourth president from 2005 to 2015, arrived in Juba on Wednesday for a three-day visit. He was appointed on March 24 by the African Union chairperson as High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, with a special mandate on South Sudan.
His trip falls under the African Union’s Ad Hoc High-Level Committee on South Sudan, known as the C5, which supports implementation of the country’s 2018 peace agreement.
In February, the C5 called for steps including elections in December 2026, the release of detainees, particularly Machar, inclusive dialogue among parties and a ceasefire.
On Thursday evening, Kikwete met officials from the SPLM-IO aligned with Machar, led by political bureau focal point Joseph Malwal Dong. Other attendees included Yolanda Awel Deng, Deng Deng Akon, Kuong Dak and Riang Yer Zuor.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj after the meeting, Malwal said the talks focused on gathering information about the peace process and did not yield decisions on elections or Machar’s status.
“We met the visiting envoy because he came here on a fact-finding mission,” Malwal said. “He had not been here before and wanted to find out exactly what is going on in the country.”
He said discussions centred on implementation of the 2018 revitalised peace deal, which he described as facing “a lot of problems and violations.”
“The implementation of the agreement is strained, and there have been a lot of violations reported,” he said. “So he came to get more information about what is happening.”
Malwal said Kikwete did not present proposals or commitments. “He has nothing to say because he said he was on a fact-finding mission,” he said.
He added that elections were not discussed. “He didn’t talk to us about elections. He didn’t ask us about elections,” Malwal said.
Machar’s detention was raised but without concrete outcomes. “He considered the issue concerning the rights of our leader, Dr. Machar, and said we have to see a settlement there,” Malwal said. “But again, he only came for a fact-finding mission.”
“There is no tangible decision in terms of elections or in terms of Machar being released soon,” he added.
Malwal warned of ongoing humanitarian and security challenges, including human rights violations and fighting in parts of the country.
“The country is definitely in difficulties,” he said. “There are a lot of human rights violations, harassment and continuous fighting.”
He called for renewed dialogue among political actors. “The message that the country needs is dialogue,” he said. “Dialogue so that we can move the peace process forward.”
Earlier, Kikwete met Kiir alongside senior ministers, including Cabinet Affairs Minister Martin Elia Lomuro, Senior Presidential Envoy Adut Salva Kiir, Presidential Affairs Minister Africano Mande Gedima and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Akuei Bona Malwal.
“I’m visiting South Sudan on an exploratory visit because it’s the first time I’m coming here in this capacity,” Kikwete told reporters. “I am talking to all the stakeholders, getting briefings on the situation in the country and advice on specific issues and needs.”
He said he would report back to the African Union with recommendations. “From there, I will report back to the African Union, and then we will come up with a joint plan on how to proceed,” he said.
Kikwete said Kiir had assured him the government was committed to holding long-delayed elections this year.
“In my discussions with the president, he has assured me that there is determination by the government of South Sudan to make sure that the elections are held this year,” Kikwete said.
“There is not going to be any extension, that’s the important news,” he added.
He said the African Union stands ready to support the process. “The African Union is ready to work with the government of South Sudan to make sure that the elections are held and that they are successful.”
South Sudan is expected to hold elections in December under its fragile peace roadmap, although key provisions, including security arrangements and constitutional reforms, remain incomplete.
“The African Union wishes South Sudan continued peace, unity and stability,” Kikwete said.
Edmund Yakani, executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), said today’s meetings could help unlock stalled implementation of South Sudan’s 2018 peace deal.
“Today’s meeting is a great step for breaking the deadlocks that contributed to delays in the genuine and timely implementation of the R-ARCSS,” Yakani told Radio Tamazuj.
He warned that failure to implement the resolutions would amount to “dragging of feet” in the country’s transition.
Yakani also welcomed President Salva Kiir’s commitment to the peace process, saying it would be key to advancing implementation.
Kikwete is due to conclude his visit on Friday.
South Sudan’s security situation remains fragile despite the 2018 peace agreement signed by Kiir and Machar, who was placed under house arrest in March 2025 and suspended as first vice president.
The 2018 agreement and the transitional government have been weakened by continued violence, ceasefire violations and disputes between the two leaders.
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