Rédaction Africa Links 24 with umajulius
Published on 2024-04-18 08:01:16
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa recently visited South Sudan where he engaged in talks with key leaders in the country. The visit, aimed at discussing the full implementation of the September 2018 peace agreement and upcoming elections in December 2024, saw Ramaphosa holding discussions with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, First Vice President Riek Machar, and other key government officials.
During the visit, Ramaphosa and his delegation, in line with their duties as the chair of the African Union (AU) appointed High-Level Ad hoc Committee for South Sudan, met with various leaders to assess the progress and challenges in the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). The committee, which also includes Algeria, Chad, Nigeria, and Rwanda, is responsible for reviewing the peace agreement and convening consultative meetings at ministerial levels.
The discussions between Ramaphosa and South Sudanese leaders focused on supporting the implementation of the outstanding tasks of the peace agreement to ensure transparent and credible elections in December 2024. The importance of mobilizing resources to enable the National Elections Commission and other relevant institutions to fulfill their mandates in preparation for the elections was emphasized during the meetings.
Ramaphosa’s visit was seen as a crucial step in building trust and confidence between the principal leaders in South Sudan and enhancing the peace process. South Sudan’s deputy minister of foreign affairs highlighted the historical connection between South Africa and South Sudan, emphasizing the role of South Africa as a guarantor of the peace agreement.
Both President Kiir and First Vice President Machar expressed their readiness to conduct elections as per the agreement and the proposed roadmap. The meeting between Machar and Ramaphosa focused on the progress and challenges in the implementation of the peace agreement, with discussions on ways to overcome obstacles.
Overall, the visit by President Ramaphosa signaled South Africa’s commitment to supporting peace and stability in South Sudan. By engaging in dialogue with key leaders and stakeholders, the hope is to create conducive conditions for successful elections and further progress in the peace process. The exchange of views and sharing of experiences during the visit are crucial in strengthening bilateral relations and promoting sustainable peace in the region.
Read the original article on Sudan Tribune
