Government and rebel parties in South Sudan reach an agreement to bring about long-lasting peace

The parties involved in the Nairobi Mediation process took a positive step on Thursday in Nairobi when they signed the Declaration of Commitment to the outcome, known as the Tumaini (Hope) Initiative. This means that the government of South Sudan and the opposition groups are getting closer to reaching a lasting peace agreement.

Both the government and the two opposition parties involved in the process pledged to support the resolution that the parties involved decided upon.

The Tumaini Initiative also includes all prior agreements reached since 2020, when the Sant’ Egidio Catholic Community in Rome, Italy, started negotiations with President Salva Kiir’s government. It signaled the official start of mediation.

Later on Thursday night, in the presence of the Chief Mediator, President Ruto met with international envoys who are Friends of South Sudan at State House Nairobi. There, he had discussions with South Sudanese donor groups.

Neil Wigan, the British High Commissioner, Meg Whitman, the US ambassador, Zhou Pingjan, the Chinese, Gunner Andreas Holm, the Norwegian, Sebastian Groth, the German, Roberto Natali, the Italian, Henriette Geiger, the UAE, Mohammed Bin Mutair Al-Enazi, the Qatari, and Salim Ibrahim Naqbi, the United Arab Emirates, were among them.

Dr. Ruto praised the diplomats’ priceless contributions to the nation’s return to peace and stability.

He remarked, “We are excited about the Tumaini Initiative’s potential to enable South Sudanese to create a successful future for their nation and region.

The Real-SPLM, led by Pagan Amum, the South Sudan United Front (SSUF), led by former Army Chief Paul Malong, and the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) signed the declaration, which was timed to coincide with the 41st anniversary of the Sudanese Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM).

The Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (Igad), which served as the guarantor, together with representatives of academics, religious organizations, women, youth, and civil society also signed the declaration as supportive participants.

The parties had shared their viewpoints on a range of issues as an initial step toward the behind-the-scenes negotiations that had begun on May 9. By Friday at noon, two representatives from each side will be sent to the secretariat to resolve any lingering difficulties.

According to Lt Gen Lazurus Sumbeiywo, the chief mediator, the commander of the RT army, and others, the declaration signaled the start of formal negotiations to address the underlying causes of the conflict in South Sudan and enable the country’s citizens to take part in their own development, including farming.

Since the South Sudan peace process is inclusive, there can never be a chance for the parties to commit to the next stage of the process. The question is not if it will come to an end, but rather when, as Mr. Sumbeiywo stated.

He refuted the timeliness argument, nevertheless, since some observers had thought that the mediation would be finished in time for the nation to get ready for the elections in December 2024, conflict-free.

Since winning elections is not our goal, there are no deadlines. On the fringes of the gathering at Nairobi’s Emara Ole Sereni Hotel, Gen. Sumbeiwyo stated to The East African, “Our mission is to stop the violence in South Sudan.”

The National Salvation Front (NAS), led by Gen. Thomas Cirillo, and the National Democratic Movement Patriotic Front (NDM-PF), led by Emmanuel Ajawin, are two other members of the South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance (Ssoma) that did not sign the 2018 peace agreement and have chosen to abstain from the Nairobi Mediation.

Mr. Sumbeiywo claimed that because only two of the roughly five Ssoma members took part, the mediation was compelled to address specific groups rather than the organization as a whole. However, a few organizations have indicated an interest in joining, including SPLM-Kitguang.

Speaking on behalf of the opposition parties and non-signatories, Mr. Amum stated that the opposition participants had vowed to save their country and provide the suffering people of South Sudan hope.

Speaking without reservation, Mr. Amum added, “We, the opposition, pledge our full commitment to work in collaboration with the government delegation to bring peace to our people.”

The Rome Initiative peace negotiations between Ssoma and Juba lasted from 2020 to March 2023, when they broke down.

The Sant’egidio community in Rome complained that the negotiations had been going on for too long in Rome’s hands without coming to a conclusion, so in December 2023, Kiir asked Ruto to take over the mediation on their behalf.

President Ruto agreed in February after conferring with the Sant’egidio neighborhood in Rome.