A delegation of African Union (AU) mediators arrived in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, on Wednesday for talks aimed at preventing a new civil war. This follows last week’s decision to place First Vice President Riek Machar under house arrest.
The AU delegation landed at Juba Airport on Wednesday, bringing with them the “Council of Elders,” which includes former Burundian President Domitien Ndayizeye and former Kenyan judge Effie Owuor.
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), Machar’s party, issued a statement warmly welcoming the arrival of the Council of Elders as part of ongoing efforts to ease tensions and support the peace process.
Meanwhile, the AU’s Peace and Security Council released a statement on Tuesday calling for the “immediate and unconditional release” of Machar, warning that the recent developments pose a serious threat to the 2018 peace agreement.
