South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir and his delegation returned to Juba on Monday after attending the 39th Ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Heads of State and Government Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he joined fellow African leaders in discussions on continental priorities.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Monday Semaya stated that during the summit, the President engaged in a series of high-level diplomatic meetings with regional leaders aimed at strengthening strategic partnerships and enhancing bilateral relations.

According to the Minister, President Kiir held a closed-door meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, the current Chair of the C5 Plus — the body tasked with overseeing South Sudan’s 2018 peace agreement signed in Khartoum. During the meeting, President Kiir briefed President Ramaphosa on the country’s political situation and ongoing preparations for the general elections scheduled for December 2027.

Minister Semaya emphasised that President Kiir conveyed the government’s position that the people of South Sudan are ready to elect their leadership in the upcoming polls. He also reiterated that there should be no further extension of the Transitional Government of National Unity.

Upon arrival at Juba International Airport, President Kiir was received by the Vice President for the Infrastructure Cluster, alongside senior government officials, including the Presidential Advisor on Security and the head of the national police units.