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PRETORIA — President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to chair a virtual meeting of the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee on South Sudan (C5) alongside Member States of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). Operating in his capacity as Chairperson of the C5, President Ramaphosa is steering regional efforts to evaluate the political landscape in South Sudan as the country approaches its critical scheduled elections on 22 December 2026.
The high-level virtual assembly serves as a direct follow-up to the C5 Plus Summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 15 February 2026. Leaders will use the platform to review developments that have unfolded since February and measure the nation’s readiness for its democratic milestone.
The C5 alliance—which unites South Africa, Algeria, Chad, Nigeria, and Rwanda—has maintained active diplomatic engagement throughout the year. Tuesday’s discussions will evaluate the findings and commitments stemming from a series of high-level diplomatic missions. These include the C5 Ministerial Visit to Juba in July 2026, the African Union Peace and Security Council’s visit in April, as well as August deployments by Dr. Jakaya Kikwete, the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, and the AU Technical Assessment Team.
