The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU) yesterday appointed former Malian President Alpha Oumar Konaré as the AU High Representative for South Sudan. The AU said that it wants to strengthen the mediation of the East African regional body IGAD.

A statement from the African Union explained that Konaré's experience and commitment to pan-Africanism “will be a major asset in the search for a solution to the conflict that is tearing South Sudan apart.”

“In the discharge of his responsibilities, the High Representative will maintain close contact with the South Sudanese parties and other stakeholders [and] interact with the IGAD leaders,” reads the statement.

The AU also noted that it is working to 'operationalize' a high-level ad hoc committee “in order to enhance Africa’s support to the mediation efforts of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).” Previously it has been reported that the AU ad hoc panel would somehow support the new 'IGAD Plus' mediation mechanism that is yet to take shape.

AU's decision to establish an ad hoc committee was made six months ago on 5 December 2014. The committee has never met. According to the statement yesterday, the committee comprising the heads of state of Algeria, Chad, Nigeria, Rwanada and South Africa, will first meet in mid-June 2015.

Photo: Konare with the US President George W. Bush in 2011