VP Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel meets Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. (Photo: Social media).

Prime Minister Abiy confirmed the meeting in a statement on social media in which he said he emphasized that a comprehensive approach is needed to resolve the political tension in the country.

“I have received a message from vice president of South Sudan Benjamin Bol Mel from my brother president Salva Kiir Mayardit,” he said.

“We had a successful discussion with the vice president. I have emphasized that in order to solve the current peace and political problems in South Sudan, a comprehensive approach is needed.”

Prime Minister Abiy added that Ethiopia will “continue to strengthen its support for the people of South Sudan.”

The country has experienced a deteriorating security and political situation since February 2025 – following the outbreak of violence in Upper Nile, Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal, and cantonment sites in Central Equatoria.

The political uncertainty and violence prompted a United Nations to warn that the country was on the brink of another civil war.

A number of regional leaders including Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Kenyan Envoy Raila Odinga and a delegation of African Union Pane of the Wise, have recently visited Juba to meet engage parties on de-escalation and implementing the 2018 peace deal.