The head of state met SSOA’s Chairperson Josephine Joseph Lagu where the Tumaini peace talks were discussed as well as an AU delegation, even as Kenya’s President Ruto receives a message from Kiir

By The City Review

On Wednesday, President Salva Kiir Mayardit had a busy day as he held a meeting with a section of leaders from the South Sudan Opposition Alliance [SSOA] to discuss matters of national importance, including the ongoing Tumaini Peace Initiative in Kenya’s Nairobi, a statement from the President’s official social media page noted.

The Chairperson of the Coalition Josephine Joseph Lagu emphasized that the SSOA welcomed the Tumaini initiative and committed to engaging in discussions on major political issues, including the elections, and strengthening ties between the SSOA coalition and the ruling SPLM party as the country prepares for the December 2026 polls.

SSOA, a grouping of eight political parties that are signatories to the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, has had a closer aligning with the government than with other opposition factions.

The meeting, which also included SSOA Secretary-General Lam Akol Ajawin, who leads the National Democratic Movement (NDM) – one of the eight factions making up the alliance – covered several national issues, including the Nairobi-led peace talks, Tumaini Initiative.

Meanwhile, President Kiir Mayardit met with the African Union’s Panel of the Wise [PoW] to discuss the country’s level of preparedness ahead of the slated December 2026 polls.

The Panel led by the former Burundian President Domitien Ndayizeye said the delegation’s visit is part of an ongoing mission to engage with political parties, civil society groups, and other stakeholders to ensure a smooth and peaceful electoral process.

President Kiir assured the panel of his administration’s commitment to creating a conducive environment for the upcoming elections as prerequisites for any free, fair, and credible elections.

Members of the Panel, expressed confidence in South Sudan’s ability to hold the elections as scheduled, urging all stakeholders, including political parties and civil society organizations, to collaborate and work towards the success of the election processes as stipulated.

“The Panel’s visit to Juba marks a significant step towards ensuring that South Sudan’s elections are conducted in a peaceful and transparent manner, as the country looks to solidify its democratic processes,” said a statement from the Presidency regarding the visit by the PoW, a body composed of highly respected individuals with the mandate to mitigate conflicts and promote democratic governance through wisdom, foresight, and concerted action.

In August this year, President William Ruto met with the members of the Panel of the wise, where they discussed an array of issues relating to the peace process in South Sudan.

The meeting, which included PoW’s former Kenyan High Court Judge Effie Owuor and former Burundian President Domitien Ndayizeye (both of whom were hosted by President Kiir yesterday), came just weeks after South Sudan First Vice President Riek Machar pulled out of the Tumaini Initiative, accusing the initiative of overstepping its mandate and undermining the revitalized peace agreement, an issue that brought the mediators back to the drawing board.

And as the leaders met President Kiir yesterday, President William Ruto was receiving ‘a special message from President Salva Kiir’ in state house Nairobi, delivered to him by Special Envoy and Minister for Presidential Affairs Chol Ajongo.

“The search for lasting peace in South Sudan is of paramount importance to its citizens and the East African region. The Tumaini Initiative, that brings together government and opposition parties, continues to offer leadership for this noble task,” noted a statement by the Kenyan presidency on its official social media page.

In a meeting between President William Ruto and his host in Juba President Kiir, on Wednesday last week, the South Sudan head of state noted “The constructive dialogue has demonstrated the commitment of all parties toward peace and unity. We are on the brink of significant breakthroughs.”

To push forward the peace process, Presidents Kiir and Ruto directed the mediation teams to resolve remaining issues within two weeks. The leaders further agreed to secure regional support for the Tumaini Initiative, calling on IGAD to rally resources and the international community’s backing, including the TROIKA countries, for comprehensive implementation.

And on Friday, the chief mediator to the peace talks, Lt Gen. Lazaro Sumbeiywo declared November 11, 2024, as the date for the resumption of the peace talks in Nairobi, Kenya.

The highly anticipated meeting would later fail to kick-off after government delegation failed to appear, casting speculations on the future of the peace negotiations.

With the corresponding meetings in Juba and Nairobi, and the revelations from some anonymous sources of plans by the President to put up a new team for the talks, there is renewed hope over the fate of the Tumaini Initiative.

The Chairperson of the Coalition Josephine Joseph Lagu emphasized that the SSOA welcomed the Tumaini initiative and committed to engaging in discussions on major political issues.