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Officials from the South Sudan and South Africa held high-level talks on Tuesday in Pretoria, focusing on implementing resolutions of the C5 Plus initiative that call for elections without extending the country’s transitional period.

The meetings followed up on agreements reached earlier this year in Addis Ababa during the African Union Summit, where regional leaders agreed on key principles including non-extension of the transition, timely elections, and non-interference.

The C5 countries supporting the peace process in South Sudan are South Africa, Algeria, Chad, Nigeria, and Rwanda.

During the Pretoria meetings, South Sudan’s Minister of Presidential Affairs, Africano Mande Gedima, held bilateral talks with South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola.

The discussions centered on how South Africa can support South Sudan’s election preparations, including institutional capacity building and facilitating dialogue among stakeholders.

South Sudan’s Chargé d’Affaires in South Africa, Ambassador Simon Deng Akook, also attended the talks as part of ongoing diplomatic engagements between the two countries.

South Africa reaffirmed its commitment to supporting South Sudan’s peace process and democratic transition, while both sides expressed optimism that continued cooperation will strengthen bilateral relations and help advance stability in the country.