Ramaphosa Will Lead Sudan Election Review Meeting
The AU C5 and IGAD will meet virtually on September 29, 2026, to assess South Sudan election progress.
Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Elections
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Will upcoming elections in South Sudan lead to a stable political transition?
President Cyril Ramaphosa will convene a virtual meeting of the AU C5 and IGAD member states on 29 September 2026. The session aims to track progress on political commitments in South Sudan ahead of its scheduled 22 December 2026 elections.
Why it matters
This meeting is held to track progress on commitments from previous high-level regional engagements in South Sudan. It will also evaluate specific areas requiring further regional and continental support to ensure a stable election.
The meeting is scheduled to address South Sudan's national elections set for 22 December 2026. The virtual session will begin with an opening at 14h30 and conclude with a closing session starting at 16h00.
The players
Cyril Ramaphosa
Cyril Ramaphosa is the President of South Africa and a key leader in mediating regional conflicts and political transitions.
African Union C5
The C5 is a high-level committee comprised of South Africa, Algeria, Chad, Nigeria, and Rwanda tasked with supporting South Sudan's transition.
IGAD
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development is an eight-country trade bloc in Africa that addresses regional peace and security.
The details
The committee meeting brings together members of the AU C5, including South Africa, Algeria, Chad, Nigeria, and Rwanda, alongside IGAD representatives. Media access remains restricted to the opening portion and the official reading of the communique.
Timeline
15 February 2026: The C5 Plus Summit occurred in Addis Ababa.
April 2026: The AU Peace and Security Council conducted a visit.
July 2026: A C5 Ministerial delegation visited Juba.
August 2026: The AU High Representative and Technical Assessment Team completed their site visits.
29 September 2026: The virtual C5 and IGAD meeting will take place.
Political Context
This regional coordination follows the pattern of ongoing monitoring established by the AU Peace and Security Council's South Sudan transition oversight mandate. Opposition groups have historically questioned the pace of implementation regarding the foundational security reforms required for free and fair elections.
The decisions made during this meeting may affect future international aid and diplomatic support for South Sudan's governance. Citizens and regional stakeholders will monitor the communique to understand what regulatory milestones remain before the December vote.
The takeaway
Regional stability in South Sudan depends on sustained diplomatic pressure from the AU and IGAD. The upcoming virtual summit serves as a final check on progress before the December 2026 election deadline.
What happens next
The electoral process for South Sudan remains set to culminate on 22 December 2026, pending the outcomes of this regional review.
Further reading
For broader coverage of regional political transitions, visit the Elections section.
Live Poll
Will upcoming elections in South Sudan lead to a stable political transition?
