African Union Appoints Fmr. Somali PM as Envoy to South Sudan  

African Union Appoints Fmr. Somali PM as Envoy to South Sudan

Addis Ababa, May 24, 2025 — The African Union (AU) has appointed former Prime Minister of Somalia, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas, as its new special envoy to South Sudan, a nation grappling with years of conflict and political instability.

The appointment was announced on Friday by the Chairperson of the African Union Commission office. Mr. Gaas is tasked with supporting regional peace efforts and fostering dialogue among South Sudanese leaders and stakeholders. He will also work in coordination with international organizations to help stabilize the country and advance the peace process.

South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, has endured a turbulent political transition marked by civil war, ethnic violence, and humanitarian crises. Despite multiple peace agreements, including the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), the path to lasting peace remains uncertain.

Mr. Gaas, an experienced statesman and academic, served as Somalia’s Prime Minister from 2011 to 2012 and later as President of Puntland, a semi-autonomous region in northeastern Somalia.

In his new role, Mr. Gaas is expected to build consensus among South Sudanese parties, promote inclusive political dialogue, and strengthen coordination between the AU, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the United Nations, and other key stakeholders.

The AU has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting South Sudan’s transition toward peace, stability, and democratic governance.