JUBA, April 19 (Xinhua) -- The African Union Peace and Security Council (PSC) delegation ended their six-day mission to South Sudan on Thursday by urging all parties to the conflict to uphold their commitments to the on-going peace process.
The mission also strongly urged the warring parties to allow for genuine reconciliation and healing, and to ensure that next round of high level revitalization forum (HLRF) talks does not fail as it remains the last chance for peace.
"The PSC delegation assured all stakeholders of AU's readiness and determination to spare no efforts in supporting IGAD and the South Sudanese parties to overcome the challenges facing the peace process," the delegation said in a joint statement issued in Juba.
The AU delegation, which was headed by its chairman Bankole Adeoye, expressed the solidarity and total support of the African Union towards finding lasting peace in South Sudan.
"The PSC delegation reiterated the AU's appreciation to IGAD, neighboring countries and UNMISS, as well as international partners for their relentless efforts to help restore sustainable peace, security and stability in South Sudan," it said.
The delegation that arrived in Juba on Saturday also underlined the need for synergy between the HLRF, the National Dialogue and the Reunification process of the SPLM, and emphasized that all processes should be mutually reinforcing.
"The PSC delegation appealed to all stakeholders, to uphold the exclusive interest and wellbeing of the people of South Sudan over all other considerations, and encouraged full and inclusive participation in the HLRF process, in good faith, as well as with high sense of responsibility," it said.
The mission looks forward to a new schedule for the concluding phase of the peace talks to provide opportunities for more consultations with all stakeholders.
The members also took the opportunity of its various interactions to express AU's support to the on-going peace efforts led by IGAD in the framework of the peace process.
They also stressed the important role of the AU High Level Ad Hoc Committee on South Sudan, with a view to restoring the long awaited peace in the country and put an end to the humanitarian challenges, particularly the suffering of the people of South Sudan
During their interactions, the mission shared concern with Juba on the centrality of Hybrid Court to the peace process and underscored the need for enhanced cooperation between the AU and the Government towards firming up all arrangements for the establishment of the Court in pursuit of transitional justice.
The South Sudanese government and several rebel groups in December 2017 signed the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) in a bid to end fighting and revive the stalled peace deal, but the truce was broken the same day it came into effect on Dec. 24, 2017.
The East African regional bloc IGAD which brokered the pact has urged the warring parties to respect the ceasefire deal and report violations to Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring Mechanism (CTSAMM).
South Sudan has been embroiled in civil war since December 2013 and the conflict now in its fifth year has taken a devastating toll on the people, creating one of the fastest growing refugee crisis in the world.
A peace deal signed in August 2015 between the rival leaders under UN pressure led to the establishment of a transitional unity government in April 2016, but was shattered by renewed fighting in July in the same year.
The parties to the agreement are preparing to meet for the third round of peace talks on a date yet to been announced by IGAD.
