Theme:"Homegrown Solutions, Women-Led Peace for South Sudan: Keeping Hope Alive"

INVITATION TO REPRESENTATIVES OF THE MEDIA

What: African Union Solidarity Mission to South Sudan to Reaffirm Support for Women and Peace Efforts

When: 17-18 November 2025

Where: Juba, South Sudan

Why: The mission is organized against the backdrop of the fragile political transition and persistent humanitarian challenges in South Sudan, which disproportionately affect women and girls. Despite these challenges, South Sudanese women remain central actors in local conflict resolution and peacebuilding. This mission is vital to reaffirm AU solidarity, recognize women's leadership, and advocate for the full implementation of WPS commitments stipulated under the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS), Agenda 2063, and the Continental Results Framework on WPS.

Who: The AU Solidarity Mission to South Sudan reaffirming its support for Women and Peace Efforts is coordinated by the Office of the Special Envoy of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission on Women, Peace and Security (OSE-WPS), in collaboration with the Mediation and Dialogue Unit (MDU), Women Gender and Youth Directorate (WGYD) and the Gender, Peace and Security Programme (GPSP), in partnership with African Union Mission in South Sudan (AUMISS) and the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Affairs of the Republic of South Sudan.

This vital Solidarity Mission is made possible through the crucial support and collaboration of various partners, notably the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), UN Women, the Women International Peace Centre, the Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, and the German development agency-GIZ.

Objectives:

The two-day mission is centered on five strategic pillars to support the women of South Sudan and advance the peace process:

1. Solidarity and Political Support: Reaffirm the AU's political commitment to the WPS agenda and to ensuring South Sudanese women’s full and equal participation in all peace, governance, and recovery processes.
2. Engagement and Dialogue: Conduct direct consultations with women leaders, civil society organizations (CSOs), political actors, and humanitarian partners to capture gendered perspectives on the current context.
3. Needs and Opportunities Assessment: Identify the immediate and medium-term priorities for women’s protection, economic empowerment, and political participation.
4. Policy and Advocacy Influence: Provide evidence-based recommendations to inform AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) deliberations and continental advocacy efforts on South Sudan.
5. Women’s Empowerment and Impact: Ensure that women's voices and priorities are recognized and advanced, enhancing their leadership and ownership of the peace process.

Expected Outcomes:

The mission is anticipated to yield tangible, strategic results across four key areas that will directly support the women of South Sudan and influence continental policy:

1. Strengthened AU Commitment: Clear, visible reaffirmation of AU solidarity and political support for South Sudanese women.
2. Inclusive Dialogue Processes: Women leaders, CSOs, and political actors’ perspectives are documented and integrated into locally owned peace implementation strategies.
3. Policy and Advocacy Impact: Concrete, evidence-based recommendations are developed to inform AU PSC deliberations, with momentum generated toward the ratification of the AU Convention on Ending Violence Against Women and Girls.
4. Enhanced Women-Led Peace Outcomes: Tangible improvements in the inclusion, protection, and recognition of South Sudanese women as key actors in the national peace and recovery processes.

Participants:

Participants for the two-day solidarity mission comprises of the AU Delegation (Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security, in collaboration with the Mediation and Dialogue Unit (MDU), Women, Gender and Youth Directorate (WGYD), and the Gender, Peace and Security Programme (GPSP).

Consultations will be held with the South Sudan Government, specifically the Office of the Vice President on Gender, the Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare (MGCSW), the Gender Committee, and the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus.

The mission will actively engage Local Actors, including women leaders (in politics, governance, and academia), representatives of women’s civil society networks, faith-based organizations, youth organizations, and the FEMWISE South Sudan National Chapter. Finally, the mission involves Regional and International Partners such as the African Union Mission in South Sudan (AUMISS), IGAD, RJMEC, CTSAMVM, UN agencies (UNMISS, UN Women, UNDP, WFP), and diplomatic partners.

This vital Solidarity Mission is made possible through the crucial support and collaboration of various partners, notably the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), UN Women, the Women International Peace Centre, the Office of the Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Region, and the German development agency, GIZ.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Media representatives wishing to cover the arrival and key public engagements of the Special Envoy are kindly requested to contact:

Mr. Daniel Massamba Meboya | Communication Lead | Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace & Security | African Union Commission | Email: MassambaD@africanunion.org | Addis Ababa, Ethiopia |