The African Union (AU) has deployed a high-level delegation to South Sudan following escalating violence in Nasir county.
In a statement on Monday, AU Commission spokesperson Nuur Mohamud Sheekh confirmed that the decision followed direct discussions between AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Youssouf Ali and South Sudanese President Salva Kiir.
According to the statement, the Chairperson expressed solidarity with the South Sudanese government and people, emphasizing the AU’s unwavering support for dialogue, reconciliation, and lasting peace.
“To de-escalate tensions and reinforce the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), the AU has deployed a high-level delegation from the AU Panel of the Wise. This delegation will engage all stakeholders in Juba to facilitate dialogue and prevent further instability,” the statement read.
The AU also urged all parties to adhere to the provisions of R-ARCSS and ensure its full implementation, stressing the need for sustained commitment to the peace agreement to secure long-term stability.
The AU’s intervention seeks to strengthen existing peace efforts and prevent further deterioration of the security situation.
According to Human Rights Watch, the crisis in Nasir has been ongoing since early 2024, with clashes between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and armed youth intensifying.
The situation worsened on February 14, 2025, when SSPDF troops attacked civilians in a marketplace, triggering violent confrontations with local youth. The clashes have resulted in thousands of displacements and numerous injuries.
Since then, the SSPDF has remained locked in an armed struggle with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLA/IO), further complicating the security landscape.
Tensions escalated further on March 26, when South Sudan’s First Vice-President Riek Machar was detained alongside his wife, Interior Minister Angelina Teny.
According to the SPLA/IO, this development effectively collapsed the 2018 peace deal that ended the country’s five-year civil war. The detentions drew concern from the US, UN, AU, and neighboring countries, all calling for their release.
Since 2024, communities in Nasir have advocated for the deployment of a unified national force instead of existing SSPDF troops, citing past abuses against civilians.
However, since February 22, the government has instead deployed additional troops, including allied ethnic militias that have not undergone formal unification. In response, local youth have mobilized, fearing forced disarmament and potential attacks.
The SSPDF has denied allegations of forced disarmament and accused the SPLA/IO of inciting violence through propaganda. Local leaders have called for dialogue and a suspension of troop deployments to prevent further bloodshed.
On February 25, in an attempt to disperse armed youth groups, the SSPDF launched airstrikes targeting SPLA/IO positions. These strikes also hit civilian areas, intensifying fears of further escalation and drawing condemnation from humanitarian groups.
As the AU delegation prepares to arrive in Juba, hopes remain high that their mediation efforts will help restore peace and democracy to South Sudan.
AU Deploys Delegation To Address South Sudan Crisis is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
Source: The Whistler
