South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile will travel to Juba on Oct. 8-9 for a working visit aimed at bolstering the fragile peace process in South Sudan, his office announced Tuesday.
Mashatile is visiting as South Africa’s presidential special envoy. The trip is focused on supporting the implementation of a 2018 peace deal designed to guide South Sudan toward a democratic transition and elections.
The implementation of the 2018 peace agreement faces challenges, complicated by the legal and political status of key partner Riek Machar.
Machar was arrested in March, later suspended from his position as First Vice President, and is now facing proceedings in a special court in Juba. He is accused of having a role in violence that occurred in Nasir in March 2025.
“The working visit is part of consolidating political efforts and contributing to the peace process,” a statement from Mashatile’s office said. The goal is to help ensure “a peaceful and democratic end to the transitional period.”
Mashatile is scheduled to hold consultations with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit and other key signatories to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.
The landmark agreement has been credited with reducing large-scale violence, but its implementation has been repeatedly delayed. Critical pending tasks include drafting a permanent constitution, unifying rival military forces and preparing for the country’s first-ever elections, currently scheduled for December 2026.
Mashatile’s delegation will use the visit to assess the status of the agreement’s implementation, the statement said.
He will be accompanied by senior South African government officials.