South Sudanese president Salva Kiir Mayardit returned to Juba this afternoon after attending the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union Heads of State and Government Summit in Addis Ababa, where regional leaders discussed South Sudan’s peace process and upcoming elections.
Kiir was received at Juba International Airport by Vice President for the Infrastructure Cluster Taban Deng Gai and other senior government officials.
In a statement, Foreign Affairs Minister Monday Semaya Kumba said Kiir held a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the summit aimed at strengthening strategic partnerships and enhancing regional cooperation.
During a meeting of the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan, known as the C5, Kiir presented what officials described as a report on the country’s political situation and preparations for general elections scheduled for December 2026.
Kiir said there would be no further extension of the country’s transitional period, adding that the vote would give South Sudanese an opportunity to elect their leaders through a democratic process.
South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011, is preparing for its first elections since a 2018 peace agreement ended a five-year civil war that killed hundreds of thousands of people and displaced millions.
Chairing the C5 Plus meeting on Sunday, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said decisions taken in the coming months would determine whether South Sudan moves toward durable peace or risks renewed instability.
Addressing regional leaders at the summit in Addis Ababa, Ramaphosa said the African Union remains committed to supporting South Sudan’s transition toward peace, stability and democratic governance, including efforts to ensure credible, inclusive and peaceful elections.
The summit comes amid concerns over delays in implementing key provisions of the 2018 peace deal, including security sector reforms, the drafting of a permanent constitution and the unification of armed groups. Observers say progress on those issues will be critical to preventing a return to conflict.
“The path chosen now,” Ramaphosa said, “will shape the future of South Sudan for generations to come.”