The high-level Friday meeting, which included the country’s top political leaders from various parties signatories to the peace agreement, unanimously agreed on the conclusion of the talks

By James Chatim

Following a high-level meeting on Friday, the South Sudan Presidency, in one tone called for a speedy conclusion of talks between the government and the opposition holdout groups under Tumaini consensus in Nairobi.

The meeting, which included the country’s top political leaders from various parties, emphasized on the need to immediately find a comprehensive solution to end the prolonged political deadlock.

The leaders highlighted that the political stability and economic reforms are significant for South Sudan’s recovery as the nation prepares for the first democratic elections since independence.

In a statement released by the Presidential Press Unit, Presidential Advisor on Security Affairs Tut Gatluak said the meeting emphasized on the need for a united front in addressing the challenges facing the country.

Gatluak also stated that the meeting resolved that negotiators should approach the talks with an open mind and a strong commitment to securing a durable peace for the people to pave the way for the much-needed reform.

In his part, the Minister of Cabinet Affairs Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro reiterated the Government’s commitment to resolving the political differences by ensuring that all voices are heard and all parties are included in the discussions.      

Meanwhile, in an exclusive interview with The City Review on Friday, Puok Both Baluang, the Press Secretary in the office of Dr. Riek Machar stated that the First Vice President expressed his happiness that the holdout groups are joining for an inclusive peace agreement.

 Baluang said the Vice President reiterated his stance that Tumaini Initiative should not be a stand-alone agreement rather than a complementary agreement.

“And also, the guidelines for the newly formed committee are clearer now than the previous team that went to Nairobi to discuss with the holdout groups,” Baluang said.

“We are hopeful that now the government of South Sudan and the holdout groups can reach consensus on how we can bring them on board to the peace process in South Sudan. So, we are for inclusive peace process in South Sudan. That’s why we have agreed as the parties’ signatory to the peace agreement on the guideline that will lead the new negotiating team while they are preparing to commence their work on the coming Monday,” he added.

On his part, civil society activist Edmund Yakani, appreciated the new pathway of creating success of the Tumaini peace mediation.

 Yakani said he hopes the outcome of the presidency would be positive and more encouraging success of Tumaini for creating an inclusive political process.

He stressed that the Tumaini also offers the opportunity of coming out with an implementable political framework that would lead to transitioning South Sudan from violence to peace, which is the ultimate goal and of the best interest to the citizens in the Republic of South Sudan.

South Sudan’s holdout groups, the non-signatories to the 2018 peace agreement have agreed to resume peace talks in Nairobi after months of expressing concerns and reservations with sections of the process.

This renewed talk follows an official visit of the Kenyan President William Ruto to Juba under the invitation of President Salva Kiir, where the two leaders, discussed the fate of the Nairobi-led peace process and agreed on its resumption, with the chief mediator, Lt. Gen. Lazarus Sumbeiywo, being directed to work with other parties to ensure the pending tasks are concluded in two weeks.

While the meeting was to resume on Monday, failure by the government delegation to appear for the talks stalled the anticipated process.

And now, President Kiir has appointed a 15-member negotiating team, led by Senior Presidential Advisor Kuol Manyang Juuk, tasked with engaging holdout groups to reach an agreement on the political instability.

Speaking to Radio Miraya, Ambassador Mohammed Ali Guyo, the Deputy Chief Mediator for Tumaini, revealed that the South Sudanese government delegation expected to arrive in Nairobi, Kenya on Sunday after briefing from President Salva Kiir and the vice presidents, even as they set in for the talks on Monday.

Presidential Advisor on Security Affairs Tut Gatluak stated that the meeting resolved that negotiators should approach the talks with an open mind and a strong commitment to securing a durable peace for the people to pave the way for the much-needed reform.