ADDIS ABABA - Ethiopia has taken part in an African Union Peace and Security Council (AU PSC) field mission to South Sudan, designed to assess the political, security, and governance climate ahead of the country’s anticipated national elections in December 2026.
The Ethiopian delegation was represented by Ambassador Hirut Zemene, Permanent Representative to the African Union and the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
The mission reflects Addis Ababa’s continued commitment to regional stability and its long-standing role in South Sudan’s peace process.
The AU PSC delegation, led by Algeria, the Council’s chair for August, engaged in a series of in-depth consultations with South Sudanese political and institutional actors.
Meetings were held with President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Foreign Minister Monday Semaya K. Kumba, members of the High-Level Committee of the Transitional Council, the National Election Commission, and the National Constitution Review Commission.
Civil society organisations, representatives of the African Union Liaison Office in Juba, members of the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JEMEC), and officials from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) also briefed the delegation.
These discussions centred on progress made in implementing transitional arrangements, preparations for the elections, and efforts to maintain security in volatile regions.
The mission was also tasked with reviewing the security sector reform agenda, constitutional processes, and the inclusivity of political dialogue, especially in light of concerns expressed by civil society about political freedoms, humanitarian access, and the pace of institutional reforms.
The AU PSC has been closely monitoring South Sudan’s trajectory since the signing of the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement, which brought an uneasy calm to years of conflict.
With the elections seen as a critical milestone in the country’s transition, the AU’s engagement is viewed as both a stabilising factor and a means of reinforcing regional and continental commitments to democratic governance.
Ambassador Hirut’s participation is consistent with Ethiopia’s broader foreign policy objectives of supporting peace and security in the Horn of Africa.
Ethiopia has historically hosted mediation talks and facilitated negotiations between South Sudan’s rival factions, underlining its diplomatic leverage in the region.
The Council is expected to release a communiqué at the end of the mission, detailing its findings and offering recommendations to ensure a peaceful, credible, and inclusive electoral process.
The AU’s continued presence in South Sudan is widely interpreted as a signal that the continental body remains committed to accompanying the country on its challenging journey towards lasting peace and democratic consolidation.