Resumption of South Sudan Peace Talks in Nairobi Highlights Path…

South Sudan’s peace talks, involving its Transitional Government and opposition groups, resumed in Nairobi, Kenya. Chief mediator Lazarus Sumbeiywo announced the talks, named “Tumaini,” aiming to address ongoing issues and conclude in two weeks. The initiative follows a directive from South Sudan’s and Kenya’s presidents, gathering support from regional and international bodies.

Peace talks between South Sudan’s Transitional Government of National Unity and opposition groups resumed in Nairobi, Kenya, as announced by chief mediator Lazarus Sumbeiywo. The discussions, referred to as “Tumaini,” meaning hope in Swahili, are anticipated to conclude within two weeks following the government delegation’s consultations in Juba. Sumbeiywo expressed gratitude towards the opposition and other stakeholders for their patience and determination throughout the process.

The mediation team includes officials from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, envoys from the European Union, the United Nations, and Italian co-mediators from Sant’Egidio. The decision to resume came after a significant meeting on November 6 between Kenyan President William Ruto and South Sudanese President Salva Kiir in Juba, where they emphasized addressing unresolved issues prior to a final agreement.

The Tumaini Initiative, which began on May 9, encountered delays in July due to concerns from some parties regarding proposed negotiation mechanisms. Nevertheless, since May, extensive efforts have been made to tackle issues undermining peace in South Sudan, despite previous peace agreements signed in 2016 and 2018. By the end of August, eight protocols were developed to address these concerns.

Mediator Sumbeiywo indicated that the discussions also encompass ongoing and pending provisions of the revitalized peace agreement, in addition to new components from the Tumaini Initiative aimed at enhancing peace-building through improved execution. A significant outcome from the talks is the Trust and Confidence Building protocol, which has fostered a favorable momentum in negotiations.

The peace talks in South Sudan are part of a broader initiative aimed at addressing ongoing conflict in the country. South Sudan has struggled with internal strife since its independence, leading to various agreements intended to restore peace, including the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan and its revitalized version. The recent Tumaini Initiative highlights a renewed commitment to peace-building amid a complex political landscape involving multiple stakeholders, including regional blocs and international organizations.

The resumption of the Tumaini peace talks represents a crucial step towards achieving sustained peace in South Sudan. With the involvement of both national and international mediators, and a shared determination among the parties to overcome previous setbacks, there is cautious optimism for a successful resolution. The framing of protocols like the Trust and Confidence Building is pivotal for establishing a cooperative atmosphere among stakeholders.

Original Source: english.news.cn