South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has stated that South Sudan's 2018 peace agreement remains the country's paramount legal instrument. He made this statement while closing a virtual summit of the African Union's High-Level Ad Hoc Committee on South Sudan, known as the C5, on September 29, 2026. The summit involved members of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the African Union. The C5 committee supports efforts to advance peace and the implementation of South Sudan's Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.
The 2018 peace agreement was signed to end years of conflict and provide a framework for a transitional government leading to elections. The agreement has been repeatedly extended and amended as parties struggled to implement key provisions. Ramaphosa emphasized that all parties should fully comply with the provisions of the 2018 peace agreement and avoid unilateral measures that could undermine it. The summit called for an immediate end to hostilities and respect for the permanent ceasefire provided for under the agreement.
Regional leaders urged the South Sudanese government to release people arbitrarily detained on political grounds while respecting the country's sovereignty and judicial processes. They also called on the government to guarantee the rights, humane treatment, and due process of people facing judicial proceedings. Furthermore, the summit urged the government to adopt a feasible, consensual, and time-bound electoral roadmap setting out the legal basis, scope, and sequencing of the elections.
The summit also emphasized the need for the government to provide adequate and timely funding to electoral and transitional institutions. This is necessary to address the political, legal, technical, operational, financial, and security requirements needed for a peaceful and credible election. Ramaphosa stated that the government had made progress towards the elections but that many challenges and tremendous work remained.
Ramaphosa stressed that the primary responsibility for implementing the agreed measures rests with the South Sudanese government and the parties to the 2018 peace agreement. He noted that support from the African Union, the C5, and international partners should reinforce South Sudanese ownership and respond to clearly identified priorities. The summit also called on all parties to protect civilians, humanitarian and medical workers, and UN peacekeepers.
The African Union, C5, and IGAD will coordinate technical assistance for the electoral process and implementation of the peace agreement. Ramaphosa emphasized that for democracy to take hold in South Sudan, its leaders must demonstrate genuine commitment to inclusivity, peace, and national reconciliation. Only then can South Sudan begin to build its institutions, strengthen democratic practice, and build a unified nation.
South Sudan is set to hold general elections on December 22, its first national vote since independence in 2011. Ramaphosa urged the Government of South Sudan to work with speed to resolve the challenges that remain. In the interests of national elections that are free, fair, and credible, the government must address the outstanding issues. The C5 committee comprises South Africa, Algeria, Chad, Nigeria, and Rwanda, with South Africa chairing the committee.
Key points
- The 2018 peace agreement remains the paramount legal instrument for South Sudan.
- The African Union and regional leaders urge all parties to comply with the 2018 peace agreement.
- South Sudan is set to hold general elections on December 22, its first national vote since independence in 2011.
