Please refer to the attached file.
COMMUNIQUÉ
Adopted by the Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU), at its 1141st meeting held on 28 February 2023, on Consideration of the Report of the Field Mission of the Peace and Security Council to South Sudan conducted from 22 to 25 February 2023:
The Peace and Security Council,
Recalling all its previous decisions and pronouncements on the situation in South Sudan, particularly, Communique [PSC/PR/COMM.1123 (2023)], adopted at its 1123rd meeting held on 30 November 2022;
Reiterating the Commitment of the AU as a guarantor of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), signed on 12 September 2018, and determined to ensure its successful implementation;
Reaffirming the AU solidarity with the people and Government of the Republic of South Sudan in their legitimate aspirations to restore durable peace, security, stability and prosperity in their country, the horn of Africa as well the entire Continent;
Noting the presentation of the Report of the Field Mission of the Peace and Security Council as presented by H.E. Ambassador Edward Xolisa Makaya, the Permanent Representative of the Republic of South Africa to the AU in his capacity as the Chairperson of the PSC for the month of February 2023; and
Acting Under Article 7 of its Protocol, the Peace and Security Council:
Adopts the Report of the Field Mission conducted by the Council to the Republic of South Sudan together with its recommendations and requests the Chairperson of the AU Commission and all those concerned, to follow up on the implementation of the recommendations contained in the Report;
Welcomes the steady progress in the implementation of the R-ARCSS, in particularly difficult circumstances and, in this regard, commends all parties to the R-ARCSS for their patriotism and continued commitment to expeditiously implement the remaining provisions of the R-ARCSS within the extended transition period and to stress that there will be no further extension of the Transition;
Commends the South Sudanese authorities, particularly, H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit, five Vice Presidents and the rest of the signatories of the R-ARCSS for placing the supreme interests of the country and its people above all else;
Welcomes President Salva Kiir’s expressed personal commitment to ensure that South Sudan will not slide back to war under his leadership;
Urges all the parties in the R-TGoNU to put their differences aside, and to use dialogue as the viable and sustainable approach for addressing their differences;
Takes note of the Roadmap and the 24-month extension of the transition period culminating in the organization of elections in December 2024; appreciates the commitment of the R-TGoNU not to allow further extension of the transitional period and urges the R-TGoNU and all other parties concerned to complete the outstanding transitional tasks within the extended period taking into consideration the need not to have any further extensions;
Emphasizes the important role of women and youth in the South Sudan peace processes, including in reconciliation, economic development and transitional justice; and ensure that the 35% quota for women is fulfilled, in line with the R-ARCSS;
Requests the AU Commission to engage with the R-TGoNU with a view to mobilizing technical support for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) and security sector reform (SSR) to strengthen the capacities of national institutions and create conducive conditions for the successful organization of credible, transparent and democratic elections;
Also requests the Chairperson of the AU Commission to urgently constitute a team of experts to work closely with the R-TGoNU in creating the necessary conditions for the successful organization of credible, transparent and democratic elections in December 2024, as well as on matters relating to transitional justice and constitution-making;
Reiterates the critical importance of expediting the implementation of Chapter V of the R-ARCSS which includes the establishment Hybrid Court of South Sudan (HCSS), with the support of the AU Commission, the establishment of the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation, and Healing (CTRH) and the Compensation and Reparation Authority (CRA), with a view to fighting the culture of impunity, as well as promoting lasting peace, justice and reconciliation in South Sudan;
Notes with deep concern the reported inter-communal violence and armed clashes in some parts of the country and, in this context, encourages the R-TGoNU to establish a High-Level peace committee, including local community and traditional leaders to find practical solutions, and also urges the affected communities to work closely with the committee towards an inclusive process of holistically addressing the fundamental root causes, with a view to promoting durable peace and reconciliation in the affected areas;
Appeals to the signatories of the Rome Declaration to recommit to the Sant’ Egidio process, including adherence to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement of December 2017 and the Rome Declaration, as well as to the January 2020 Resolution;
Commends IGAD for its continued efforts in South Sudan, particularly its oversight role in the implementation of the R-ARCSS and encourages it to continue to work in collaboration with the AU and other international partners, in supporting the peace process in South Sudan;
Notes with satisfaction the efforts of the AU High Level Ad Hoc Committee on South Sudan (C5) supporting the promotion of peace and stability in South Sudan and its coordination work with the PSC and urges them to enhance their support of the peace process in South Sudan;
Expresses appreciation to the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (R-JMEC) for its efforts and commitment to continue assisting the South Sudanese parties to fulfill their obligations within the context of the R-ARCSS; and appeals to the international community to provide financial support for the activities of CITSAMVM;
Encourages the R-TGoNU to expedite economic reforms and, to this end, commends the African Development Bank for its contribution towards enhancing the capacity of the R-TGoNU to successfully implement the reforms so as to facilitate speedy economic recovery and stabilization in in the country;
Notes with appreciation the sustained efforts, commitment and sacrifices of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and humanitarian agencies working in South Sudan to end the suffering of the people of South Sudan;
Appeals to the Government of South Sudan to continue to take necessary measures to ensure safety and security of humanitarian agencies; also appeals to the international community to continue supporting humanitarian efforts in South Sudan; and in this regard, requests the Chairperson of the Commission to explore the possibility of taping into the resources mobilized from the Malabo Humanitarian Summit and Pledging Conference, to contribute towards humanitarian efforts in South Sudan;
Reiterates the African Union’s appeal to the international community to lift the arms embargo and other sanctions imposed on South Sudan, in order to facilitate the successful implementation of the remaining aspects of the R-ARCSS, including the deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces (NUFs);
Expresses gratitude to the South Sudanese authorities for finding time to interact with the PSC Delegation during the field mission, as well as to all interlocutors, namely, the African Diplomatic Community, IGAD, R-JMEC, CITSAMVM, UNMISS, the Troika, as well as the representatives of Civil Society Organizations; and also expresses gratitude to UNMISS for providing transport facilities for the Council’s Delegation;
Expresses particular gratitude to the AU Liaison Office in Juba for facilitating the successful conduct of the field mission and commends the efforts of the Liaison Office in effectively promoting the visibility of the AU on the ground;
Notes with deep concern, the perennial institutional capacity constraints facing the AU Liaison Office and, in this regard, requests the Chairperson of the AU Commission to urgently take necessary measures to ensure that the Office is availed with all necessary human, material and financial resources, in order to enable it to more effectively discharge its mandate;
Commits to undertake another field mission to South Sudan before the next Ordinary Session of the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government; and
Decides to remain actively ceased of the matter.