AU Demands Release of Political Detainees as South Sudan Prepares for Historic Elections

The African Union has issued a firm demand for the release of all arbitrarily detained political prisoners in South Sudan, as the nation edges closer to its first post-independence elections. The call came at the virtual Summit of the AU Committee on South Sudan (C5) Plus, where President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa laid out an eight-point action plan that prioritises human rights, stability, and an inclusive political process.

Ramaphosa, who opened the summit on Wednesday, apologised for postponing the original meeting scheduled for September 16, citing illness and doctors' orders to rest. He then pivoted to the urgent matters at hand, commending South Sudan's leadership for its commitment to peace while underscoring the collective responsibility of AU member states to support the nation.

What did the AU summit decide for South Sudan?

The summit produced a concrete Declaration with strict recommendations, following briefings from South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, and former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, who has been appointed as the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. Former Nigerian Foreign Minister Geoffrey Onyeama, who led the AU's technical pre-election and needs assessment mission in Juba in August, also contributed to the discussions.

Ramaphosa stressed that the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) remains the paramount legal instrument for the country's transition. He stated:

We have agreed that the Revitalised Peace Agreement remains the paramount legal instrument with which all parties must comply and by which progress in South Sudan will be measured.

Why is the political climate in South Sudan volatile?

The political landscape in South Sudan has been anything but stable. Ramaphosa pointed to significant recent developments, including the dissolution of the Transitional Government on September 22, 2026, amendments to the National Elections Act of 2012, and the commencement of the Inter-Party Political Dialogue on September 24. These moves come as the nation prepares for its first general elections since independence, a moment fraught with both promise and peril.

Ramaphosa was unequivocal in his assessment:

We know that elections on their own are not a sufficient guarantor of peace and democracy.

He argued that credible polls require a foundation of stability, insisting that elections must be preceded and accompanied by a genuine, inclusive political process, bolstered by security arrangements and protection of electoral staff and civilians.

What does the eight-point action plan include?

The action plan is a direct intervention on human rights and the political climate. Ramaphosa demanded that all parties comply fully with the provisions of the Revitalised Peace Agreement and demonstrate their commitment to its full implementation. In a pointed reference to the government's conduct, he said, while respecting the nation's sovereignty and judicial processes, that the government must release all persons arbitrarily detained on political grounds and guarantee the rights, humane treatment, and due process of persons facing judicial proceedings.

On the logistical and financial front, Ramaphosa urged the government to work with speed to resolve remaining challenges and to adopt a feasible, consensual and time-bound electoral roadmap that clearly sets out the legal basis, scope, and sequencing of elections.

What role should the international community play?

While appealing to the international community to support South Sudan in the most effective and coordinated manner, Ramaphosa made it clear that external aid cannot replace local accountability. He asserted:

The primary responsibility for the implementation of the agreed measures rests with the government and parties of South Sudan.

External support, he added, must reinforce South Sudanese national ownership and respond to clearly identified priorities.

Can democracy take hold in South Sudan?

Ramaphosa closed with a sobering yet hopeful message. For democracy to take hold, leaders must demonstrate genuine commitment to inclusivity, peace and national reconciliation. He expressed confidence that, acting together, the AU can accompany South Sudan through this critical period and help secure a future of lasting peace and democracy for its people.

The stakes could not be higher. As South Sudan stands on the brink of its first elections, the world watches to see whether the promises of the Revitalised Peace Agreement will translate into a stable, inclusive, and democratic future, or whether the shadows of conflict and arbitrary detention will continue to haunt the nation.