Your Excellencies,
Ministers,
Officials,
Guests,

Thank you for your participation in this constructive engagement.

The attendance at this Summit demonstrates that the leaders of this continent remain deeply concerned about the future of our sister country.

We wish to thank President Salva Kiir Mayardit for his engagement with the Summit.

The briefing from the President and from the African Union on the state of readiness for the elections was most valuable.

We also thank His Excellency former President Kikwete and His Excellency Geoffrey Onyeama for their insightful briefings.

Their assessments have assisted in identifying the immediate priorities requiring both political attention and coordinated support.

We take note of the progress that the Government of South Sudan has made.

Yet we are mindful of the many challenges and tremendous work that still lie ahead.

In the interests of national elections that are free, fair and credible, we urge the Government of South Sudan to work with speed to resolve the challenges that remain.

As indicated in the Declaration, this Summit has made a number of recommendations, including the following:

•    That all parties comply fully with the provisions of the Revitalised Peace Agreement and demonstrate their commitment to its full implementation.

•    That all parties immediately cease hostilities, uphold the Permanent Ceasefire and refrain from unilateral measures that could undermine the Revitalised Peace Agreement.

•    That, while respecting the sovereignty of South Sudan and its judicial processes, the Government of South Sudan release all persons arbitrarily detained on political grounds and guarantee the rights, humane treatment and due process of persons facing judicial proceedings, thereby contributing to an inclusive political environment.

•    That the Government of South Sudan adopts a feasible, consensual and time-bound electoral roadmap that clearly sets out the legal basis, scope and sequencing of elections.

•    That the Government of South Sudan provides predictable, adequate and timely domestic financial resources to the electoral and transitional institutions to enable credible preparations.

•    That the Government of South Sudan works in earnest towards addressing the political, legal, technical, operational, financial and security requirements necessary for a peaceful, credible, inclusive and transparent electoral process.

•    That all parties protect civilians, humanitarian and medical personnel and United Nations peacekeepers; ensure safe, rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access to affected communities; and ensure accountability for attacks against peacekeepers and humanitarian personnel.

•    That the AU, C5 and IGAD should coordinate voluntary and needs-based technical assistance in support of the electoral process and the implementation of the Revitalised Peace Agreement.

We appeal to international partners to support South Sudan in the most effective and coordinated manner.

Primary responsibility for the implementation of the agreed measures rests with the government and parties of South Sudan.

The support of the C5, the African Union and international partners must reinforce South Sudanese national ownership and respond to clearly identified priorities.

We have agreed that the Revitalised Peace Agreement remains the paramount legal instrument with which all parties must comply and by which progress in South Sudan will be measured.

Peace, stability and prosperity for South Sudan are aspirations we all share.

For democracy to take hold in South Sudan, its leaders must demonstrate genuine commitment to inclusivity, peace and national reconciliation.

Only then can South Sudan begin in earnest to build its institutions, strengthen democratic practice and build a unified nation.

I thank you once again for honouring the invitation and for your commitment to our sister country.

I am confident that, acting together, we can accompany South Sudan through this critical period and help secure a future of lasting peace and democracy for its people.

I thank you.

Your Excellency, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission;
General Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan;
Former President Jakaya Kikwete, AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea;
Your Excellencies, Heads of State and Government;
Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security;
Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, Executive Secretary of IGAD;
Dr Abdiweli Ali, AU Special Representative and Head of Mission to South Sudan;
Ministers;
Ambassadors;
Officials;
Ladies and gentlemen;

Welcome to this C5 Plus Summit on South Sudan.

Allow me to express my sincere apologies for the last-minute cancellation of the meeting originally scheduled for 16 September 2026.

As you may be aware, I was unwell and I was advised by my doctors to rest and recuperate.

Thank you for your kind understanding and for being available for the meeting today.

A warm welcome to His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

We wish to commend you and the broader leadership of the Republic of South Sudan for your commitment to bringing peace and stability to your country and its people.

As AU Member States, we have a collective responsibility to support South Sudan to overcome its challenges and achieve its national vision of unity, peace and prosperity.

The Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan remains the only internationally recognised framework for the implementation of South Sudan’s transition.

We are pleased that since the inaugural C5 Plus Summit earlier this year, support for the implementation of the Agreement has grown across the region and the continent.

We welcome the appointment of former President Jakaya Kikwete as the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea.

Your Excellency President Kikwete, we wish you well as you deploy your extensive expertise and considerable energies to assisting the government and the people of South Sudan.

We have noted the significant developments in South Sudan over the past week, notably the dissolution of the Transitional Government on 22 September 2026, the amendments to the National Elections Act of 2012, and the commencement of the Inter-Party Political Dialogue on 24 September 2026.

These developments take place against the backdrop of preparations for the first general elections since attaining independence.

We look forward to receiving further information from President Kiir on the impact of these important developments.

We acknowledge the efforts of the African Union’s technical pre-election and needs assessment mission that was in Juba from the 23rd to the 28th of August this year, ably led by His Excellency Geoffrey Onyeama, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

As AU Member States, our best wishes are with the people of South Sudan as they head to elections later this year.

We know that elections on their own are not a sufficient guarantor of peace and democracy.

Holding credible elections must be preceded and accompanied by a genuine, inclusive political process, bolstered by security arrangements and protection of electoral staff and civilians.

There must be a clear legal framework, adequate financing, and capable institutional and operational capacity.

This means that everything possible must be done urgently to address outstanding shortcomings that continue to stand in the way of achieving lasting and durable peace.

Inclusive dialogue is a vital guarantor of the future of South Sudan and its peoples.

We call on the leaders of South Sudan to seize this moment to come together despite their differences to discuss the problems and challenges that stand in the way of their advancement as a nation.

As the parties to this Summit, we stand ready with our support, counsel and solidarity as the leaders and people of South Sudan continue along their journey.

The people of South Sudan must know that they do not stand alone.

Their peace is our peace, their stability is our stability and their success is our success.

Thank you once again for your attendance, and I look forward to our deliberations.

I thank you.

President Cyril Ramaphosa will this evening, Tuesday, 29 September 2026, address the nation on the steps being taken by Government to confront gender-based violence and femicide (GBVF), and provide an update on investigations into the murder of women in and around the City of Ekurhuleni.

The President will address the nation as follows:

Date: Tuesday, 29 September 2026
Time: 19h00

The SABC will provide a broadcast feed to all media, while PresidencyZA will live-stream the proceedings on its various digital platforms.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will on Thursday, 1 October 2026, address the 26th National Teaching Awards (NTAs) at the Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre in Benoni, Gauteng Province.

The National Teaching Awards will be held under the theme: “Uniting for Excellence: Elevating Achievement, Empowering Educators to Shape South Africa’s Future.”

The NTAs are hosted annually by the Department of Basic Education to recognise and celebrate educators whose dedication, innovation and leadership continue to strengthen teaching and learning across South Africa’s diverse schooling system.

The awards aim to focus public attention on the positive aspects of basic education, enhance the public image of the teaching profession, and recognise, appreciate and promote excellence in teaching performance.

Finalists from across the country will be recognised in a range of categories, including Excellence in Grade R Teaching; Excellence in Primary School Teaching; Excellence in Primary School Leadership; Excellence in Teaching Mathematics (FET); Excellence in Secondary School Teaching; Excellence in Secondary School Leadership; the Kader Asmal Lifetime Achievement Award; and the National Best Teacher Award.

The Ceremony will take place as follows:

Date: Thursday, 01 October 2026 
Time: 10h00
Venue: Birchwood Hotel and Conference Centre, Gauteng Province

NOTE TO MEDIA: Members of the media  interested to cover the event must fill the Accreditation Form on link https://tinyurl.com/National-Teaching-Awards by 30 September 2026 at 16h00. Accreditation enquiries should be directed to Boitumelo Mashigo on Mashigo.b@dbe.gov.za

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President, on media@presidency.gov.za or Terence Khala (Department of Basic Education) on khala.t@dbe.gov.za / 081 758 1546

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

President Cyril Ramaphosa will tomorrow, Tuesday, 29 September 2026, in his capacity as Chairperson of the African Union High-Level Ad Hoc Committee on South Sudan (C5), convene a virtual meeting of the C5 and Member States of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

The meeting will follow up on the outcomes of the C5 Plus Summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on 15 February 2026, take stock of developments since the Summit, and assess the situation in South Sudan ahead of the elections scheduled for 22 December 2026.

The C5 comprises South Africa, Algeria, Chad, Nigeria and Rwanda. The meeting will also consider recent engagements, including the C5 Ministerial Visit to Juba in July 2026, the April visit by the AU Peace and Security Council, and the August visits by the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, Dr Jakaya Kikwete, and the AU Technical Assessment Team.

The meeting will assess progress towards the implementation of commitments arising from these engagements and identify areas requiring further regional and continental support in advancing peace, stability and the political transition in South Sudan.

President Ramaphosa will continue to lead efforts through the C5, in coordination with the AU, IGAD and other regional and international partners, to support an inclusive, peaceful and credible political process in South Sudan.

MEDIA ARRANGEMENTS

Opening Session

Date: Tuesday, 29 September 2026
Time: 14h30
Venue: Virtual

NB: Members of the media will be permitted to join and cover the open session of the virtual meeting. Following the conclusion of the open session, media will be requested to exit the virtual meeting as the proceedings continue in closed session.

Closing session

Date: Tuesday, 29 September 2026
Time: 16h00
Venue: Virtual

NB: Members of the media will be permitted to re-join the virtual meeting for the reading of the Communiqué at the conclusion of the proceedings.

Media enquiries: Vincent Magwenya, Spokesperson to the President - media@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria

The Deputy Minister in The Presidency, Nonceba Mhlauli, will release the Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) Quarterly Progress report for the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, covering the period April to June 2026.

The release will provide an update on the progress made in expanding pathways for young people to transition from learning to earning, as well as key achievements recorded across the various components of the PYEI during the first quarter of the financial year.

Details of the Event are as follows:

Date: Wednesday, 30 September 2026
Time: 10h00
Venue: GCIS Media Centre, 1035 Francis Baard, Hatfield, Pretoria

Media enquiries: Mandisa Mbele, Office of the Deputy Minister in The Presidency, on 082 580 2213 or mandisam@presidency.gov.za

Issued by: The Presidency
Pretoria