South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile arrived in Juba on Wednesday morning for a two-day visit aimed at revitalizing the fragile implementation of the 2018 peace agreement in South Sudan.
The 2018 peace agreement’s implementation faces significant challenges, particularly due to the legal and political status of key partner Riek Machar.
Machar was arrested in March, suspended from his role as First Vice President, and is currently undergoing proceedings in a special court in Juba for his alleged involvement in violence in Nasir in March 2025.
As a special envoy, Mashatile is scheduled to meet with President Salva Kiir Mayardit and other crucial signatories of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
These discussions aim to evaluate progress on the deal, which has encountered persistent delays, and advocate for lasting peace and stability ahead of upcoming elections.
“We have returned to this great city of Juba to consult with the relevant parties and track the progress of the agreement’s implementation,” Mashatile stated upon arrival.
He highlighted the importance of drafting a new constitution, finalizing transitional security arrangements, and preparing for elections set for December 2026.
The peace agreement, signed in September 2018, ended a five-year civil war that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.
However, the formation of a unity government and the critical task of merging rival military forces into a unified national army have consistently lagged.
Mashatile was welcomed at the airport by South Sudan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Monday Semaya Kumba, along with other senior diplomats from both nations.
South Africa continues to play a vital role as a regional partner in mediation efforts in South Sudan.
