JUBA -The African Union Peace and Security Council delegation that came to South Sudan to engage political leaders on implementing the 2018 peace deal declined to mention the detention of political officials, including Dr. Riek Machar, in a statement at the conclusion of their two-day visit.
Dr. Mohamed Khalid, the Permanent Representative of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria to the AU and Chairperson of the PSC, leads the delegation.
In Juba, the PSC team says it held consultations with various stakeholders ranging from the head of the National Elections Commission, the constitution-making body (NCRC), diplomats, civil society, and faith-based groups.
They then met President Kiir and said they engaged him on the implementation of the 2018 revitalized agreement, which has hit a major stumbling block since March 2025, when deadly violence raged across the country.
The PSC said it discussed with the president the status of election preparations and commended what it termed commitment expressed for the completion of the transitional period.
“The PSC stressed the need to ensure full implementation of the remaining tasks in the revitalized agreement and called for a permanent ceasefire, protection of civilians, and protection of humanitarian workers,” the statement noted.
It further expressed its support for the conduct of elections as scheduled in December 2026 and called for a political high-level dialogue among the parties for an amicable solution.
However, it did not echo the recent call by diplomatic embassies for the release of all political detainees, including Machar—the SPLM-IO leader who was put under house arrest in April—who is accused of agitating rebellion but not formally charged.
‘Criminal matter’
Senior Presidential Advisor Kuol Manyang told the AUPSC delegation that the prolonged detention of Machar is a criminal matter and not a political one, despite mounting criticism over due process violations.
Under South Sudanese law, detainees must be brought before a court within 24 hours of arrest. Pretrial detention cannot exceed six months without a court order. Yet Machar remains confined without formal charges, raising concerns about the government’s adherence to legal standards.
Gen. Kuol Manyang Juuk, chairman of the high-level ad hoc committee overseeing the 2018 peace agreement, defended the detention during a briefing to the PSC in Juba on Monday.
“On the issue of Dr. Riek, we said the procedures are underway. It is not a political detention; it is a criminal procedure,” Kuol said. “It is a normal procedure taken when somebody is suspected of a crime because it is connected to the deaths of soldiers in Nasir and fighting in other areas. This is how we explained the situation to them.”
Diplomats concerned
Diplomatic missions in South Sudan have reiterated grave concern over rising violence in the country and called for the release of political detainees, including First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar.
They said the violence is a “flagrant violation” of the ceasefire and R-ARCSS agreements and threatens the hope for peace and development shared by all South Sudanese.
In a joint statement, the Embassies of the United Kingdom, the United States, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, and Canada condemn what they call repeated attacks against civilians, including humanitarian workers and medical facilities protected under international laws.
South Sudan descended into instability following the outbreak of deadly violence in February between the SSPDF and SPLA-IO in Western Equatoria State in February 2025, followed by intense conflict between the army and armed youth in southern Upper Nile State.
The incidents of hostilities escalated in several parts of the country, including Jonglei and Central Equatoria State, and led to the detention of senior SPLM-IO officials, including Machar.
