Clarifying on Tumaini, the head of state said the process seeks to strengthen, not replace 2018 peace agreement; and urged leaders to prioritize development and create job opportunities for youth

By Aguok Chok, James Chatim and Emmanuel Mandella

South Sudan President Salva Kiir projected a reconciliatory, cohesive and progressive tone on Tuesday as he formally opened the eighth edition of the Governor’s Forum, the highest policy platform that brings together policy actors to South Sudan’s capital Juba to deliberate on a wide range of policy issues around governance and democratic principles 

“This platform represents the collective will and determination to engage in meaningful dialogue and address the challenges facing our nation,” Kiir said. “Our goal is to achieve sustainable peace, and this forum serves as a key pillar for our efforts.”

The President emphasized the country’s commitment to peace and reiterated the importance of a unified approach to solving the current issues. He further discussed the country’s ongoing peace efforts, especially concerning the Tumaini Initiative, a process that he said, seeks to support the 2018 peace agreement rather than replace it.

“The Tumaini Initiative was not intended to negotiate a new parallel peace agreement aimed to replace or dismantle the existing peace agreement we signed in 2018,” President Kiir clarified. “Our collective vision is to bridge the gap, understand the concerns of all groups, and integrate them within the existing agreement.”

The Tumaini Initiative, a peace process mediated in Nairobi, aims to fast-track negotiations to achieve lasting peace and cohesion in South Sudan. President Kiir stressed that creating a new agreement would undermine the principles of inclusivity and could lead to further cycles of conflict.

The President acknowledged the nation’s growing economic challenges and the devastating effects of natural disasters, particularly floods, which have impacted almost all the states and administrative areas. “Heavy floods have affected almost all the states, and many lives have been lost,” the President said. “We must coordinate our efforts to provide immediate support to those affected and help them recover.”

Kiir called on all government agencies, particularly the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, to collaborate with state governors in organizing rescue missions and distributing resources to the most affected areas. “I appeal to our international partners, the private sector, and our friends of goodwill to join hands with us to address this crisis,” Kiir urged.

“Recovery is crucial for our nation’s future,” he said, encouraging governors to focus on economic resilience, especially through agricultural initiatives, adding: “You must work on building state economies and creating jobs for the youth. I urge all of you to attract investments that support economic growth.”

Kiir also highlighted the importance of food security in the country’s long-term stability. He called on local farmers and investors to partner in boosting agricultural production, ensuring that South Sudan can achieve some level of food security. “Let us collectively aim to achieve food security and build a more resilient economy,” he stated.

The President closed his address by thanking the governors for their ongoing contributions to peace and stability in their states. “Your presence here today is a reminder of your shared responsibility to the people of South Sudan,” Kiir remarked. He expressed confidence that the forum would produce tangible, achievable goals for the country’s future.

“I look forward to fruitful discussions that will lead to realistic and achievable solutions,” the President said, commending the Forum’s joint organizers, UNDP for their continuous support since its advent in 2006.  

Governors’ Forum creates a remarkable platform for policy actors to deliberate a wide array of policy issues around governance and democratic principles. While this marks the eight edition of the landmark event, sources have challenged governors to implement the resolutions and recommendations from the annual event.

“Our serious concern about this particular platform, which is commissioned by the presidency annually, is that always its recommendations and resolutions are not delivered. And sometimes people take a negative position on our opinion, demanding accountability on the implementation of the resolutions and the recommendations of the governors’ forum,” said Edmund Yakani, a civil society member.

“Now we are going for the eighth forum and we need to see clearly a serious demonstration of how the Seventh Governors Forum resolutions and recommendations were delivered,” he added.