The African Union says Africa needs to fully assume its responsibilities for definitively ending the war in South Sudan

The African Union high level Ad-hoc Committee has emphasized the need for Africa to fully assume its responsibilities and create all requisite conditions for definitively ending the war in South Sudan and salvage the civilians who have suffered the brunt of war for so long.

The Chairperson of the African Union, Moussa Faki Mahamat, on Saturday called for measures against the key players in the conflict in South Sudan, saying “we are used to them not respecting their commitments”.

“The situation in South Sudan is serious. The humanitarian and security situation is increasingly difficult. The last few days we’ve had some good news, which I unfortunately now have to question,” he said at the AU meeting in Nouakchott.

The Ad-hoc Committee also emphasized the added value of the Ad hoc Committee to the IGAD-led peace process.

The African Union High Level Ad Hoc Committee for South Sudan, convened its 7th meeting on the margins of the 31st Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Governments, in Nouakchott, under the chairmanship of President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa.

South Sudan: the world’s forgotten crisis. Photo credit: Herald Scotland

The Ad-hoc Committee exchanged views on how to more effectively enhance its support to and cooperation with IGAD in the ongoing efforts to resolve the conflict in South Sudan. It commended the IGAD for its tireless efforts in mediating for a political solution to the conflict in South Sudan. The Committee holds the view that there is need for unity of purpose among all the actors in order to create the required momentum for successfully concluding the peace process in South Sudan.

The Ad-hoc Committee welcomed the recent progress in the peace process, as evidenced by the face-to-face meeting between President Salva Kiir Mayardit and Dr. Reik Machar on 27 June 2018, in Khartoum, Sudan, which culminated in the signing of the Khartoum Declaration Agreement committing the South Sudanese parties to a permanent ceasefire.

The Ad-hoc Committee called for the elaboration of a roadmap to guide actions, including imposition of punitive measures against those who violate the ceasefire and obstruct the peace efforts.

The Ad-hoc Committee noted with deep concern the continuing worrisome political, economic and humanitarian situation in South Sudan and its negative effect on the ordinary citizens. They called for urgent actions to address the economic and humanitarian plight in the country.

The Ad-hoc Committee reaffirmed its commitment to continue supporting the IGAD-led mediation process, through the High Level Revitalization Forum, as well as to the implementation of all its outcomes.

The meeting was attended by President Paul Kagame of Rwanda; Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia of Algeria; Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria Geoffrey Onyeama and the State Foreign Minister of Chad, Ms. Kade Elisabeth. The meeting was also attended by the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, Ethiopia State Minister of Foreign Affairs Hirut Zemene, as representative of the IGAD Chairperson, as well as by the AU High Representative for South Sudan, former President Alpha Omar Konare and the Commissioner for Peace and Security, Ambassador Smail Chergui.