South Africa’s Deputy President Shipokosa Paulus Mashatile met with members of the African Union’s Panel of the Wise on Thursday to discuss peace efforts in South Sudan.
The meeting, held in Mr Mashatile’s capacity as Special Envoy to South Sudan, focused on regional diplomacy aimed at supporting the implementation of the peace agreement in the world’s newest nation.
Two members of the Panel briefed the Deputy President on South Sudan’s readiness to hold elections, which are scheduled for later this year according to the peace agreement’s roadmap.
The Panel of the Wise, a key part of the AU’s peace and security framework, complements other regional initiatives working towards a lasting solution to the conflict in South Sudan.
Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former Deputy President of South Africa, and Amre Moussa, former Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, represented the Panel at the meeting.
The discussions centred on building consensus and support for the South Sudanese government in implementing the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
Mr Mashatile’s engagement with the Panel underscores South Africa’s continued involvement in peace processes on the continent, particularly in South Sudan, which has faced ongoing challenges since gaining independence in 2011.
The meeting comes at a crucial time as South Sudan prepares for elections, a key milestone in its peace process. The Panel’s insights are expected to inform South Africa’s approach as it continues to support stability in the region.
