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The African Union Peace and Security Council has renewed calls on South Sudan’s leaders and signatories to the peace agreement to resume direct political dialogue without preconditions.

The regional body made the call in a communique issued on Wednesday, following a Peace and Security Council briefing on the latest developments in South Sudan held on August 26.

The Council says the dialogue, supported by the African Union, IGAD and other regional bodies, should address delays in implementing key transitional benchmarks.

It also called on the government to fast-track the establishment of the Hybrid Court for South Sudan and the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing as part of efforts to promote accountability and lasting peace.

The Council urged all parties to complete the unification, training and deployment of the Necessary Unified Forces, saying this is critical to maintaining the permanent ceasefire.

It also called for faster progress on security sector reform, disarmament, demobilization and reintegration.

The Council reaffirmed that there is no military solution to political disputes and called for an immediate end to hostilities, military mobilization and inflammatory rhetoric.

It further urged the government to release political detainees and engage in inclusive dialogue as a path towards national reconciliation.

On the elections, the Council called on the government to provide predictable funding to the National Elections Commission, National Constitutional Review Commission and Political Parties Council.

It also requested the government to publish a realistic and agreed electoral roadmap.

The Council appealed to African Union member states, international partners and donors to help close the funding gap for the elections by submitting their contributions to the African Union Commission by October 2026.

It also urged the international community to increase financial, technical and material support for the humanitarian response, including assistance for the voluntary, safe and dignified return of internally displaced people and refugees.