South Sudan Peace Talks Resume in Kenya Amid Renewed Efforts for Stability

After a four-month hiatus and the sacking of a government delegation, the South Sudan peace talks resumed in Nairobi. This latest peace making effort aims to end the prolonged conflict that has severely impacted the African nation's economy.

The talks, dubbed Tumaini, involve South Sudan's government and opposition groups that were not part of the 2018 peace agreement, which ended a five-year civil war claiming over 400,000 lives. The discussions began in May with a "commitment declaration" for peace but stalled after President Salva Kiir dismissed the previous government delegation. A new team was appointed but faced travel delays to Nairobi which now thanks to the Kenyan government, have been settled. 
Ongoing South-Sudan peace talks in Nairobi

In a far reaching event that took place on Wednesday, December 4th at Nairobi’s Glee Hotel, Principal Secretary Korir Siongei, representing Kenya, vowed to support the attainment and implementation of a peace agreement. "Kenya is committed to ensuring that peace and stability are restored in South Sudan. We will continue to support all efforts towards a lasting resolution," Siongei stated.

The principal secretary, whose remarks were also present in other key stakeholders like H.E. Mohamed Abdi Ware, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), noted that a peace resolution is South Sudan is not just a win for the distinctive nation, but a win for the whole region.

The head of the South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance, Pagan Amum, urged the new government delegation to honor previous agreements. "This is not a time to renegotiate what we have already agreed upon. It is important to remember that this is probably the last chance to rescue our country from total disintegration," Amum emphasized.
(Closed door session of the Tumaini Initiative)

Kuol Manyang Juuk, from the government side, echoed the sentiment, urging parties to build on past accomplishments. "We are not here to start the talks from scratch; we are here to build on what has been accomplished," Juuk said. Both parties are optimistic that a deal could be reached on or before Christmas and pledge to work towards that in the coming two weeks.

In the talks so far, both sides have protested against a new law allowing detentions without arrest warrants, arguing it violates human rights. Chief mediator Lazarus Sumbeiyo urged all parties to conclude work on outstanding issues, emphasizing the urgency of reaching a comprehensive peace agreement.

To cap it off, suffice it to say that the resumption of peace talks in Nairobi marks a critical step towards stability in South Sudan, with regional support playing a pivotal role in the process. “May we guard our independence and peace, our culture and traditions,” EAC anthem, in part, echoed at the end of the relaunch, highlighting the importance of preserving peace and unity among the East African nations. 

By Edwin Muthomi

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