The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has expressed deep concern over reports of the detention of South Sudan's First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, urging all parties to de-escalate and uphold the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
In a statement issued from Addis Ababa, the AU described the R-ARCSS as "the cornerstone for sustainable peace, stability, and national reconciliation" in South Sudan, and called on all concerned parties to exercise maximum restraint and refrain from actions that could exacerbate tensions. The AU further urged parties to engage in constructive dialogue and resolve outstanding issues through peaceful and legal means.
The Chairperson announced that the AU Panel of the Wise would be deployed to Juba as a concrete measure to help de-escalate the situation. The AU reiterated its readiness to work alongside the Government of South Sudan, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in support of stability and inclusive governance.
The statement stressed that the well-being of the South Sudanese people must remain the foremost priority, and called upon all parties to recommit to dialogue, cooperation, and respect for human rights. The AU expressed its unwavering support for the full and timely implementation of the peace agreement.
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