Peace talks between South Sudan's government and holdout forces began Thursday in Kenya, with African presidents calling for an end to the conflict that has crippled the country's economy for years.
South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit thanked Kenyan President William Ruto for hosting peace talks in Nairobi, saying his government would negotiate in good faith and with generosity.
“We know that the rebels have similar beliefs and aspirations for peace in South Sudan, which, if fully achieved, will bring eternal stability and economic development not only to South Sudan but to the region. I hope so,” Keel said.
The mediation is being led by former Kenyan military commander Lazarus Sumbeiwo, who negotiated a comprehensive peace agreement that gave South Sudan autonomy in 2005 and led to an independence referendum in 2011. (CPA).
Two prominent members of anti-holdout groups that did not take part in the 2018 peace agreement have agreed to Kenya-led mediation after months of suspicion.
Representatives of the SSUF/A, led by former army chief Gen. Paul Maron, the Real SPLM, led by former SPLM secretary-general Pagan Ammu, and the SSPM, led by Gen. Stephen Buai Lolunyan, announced their readiness to participate in the Nairobi peace talks. .
Kenyan President William Ruto called for strong commitment from all parties to the South Sudan peace process to achieve lasting and sustainable peace.
President Ruto said the mediation process was keen to end the conflict and political instability in South Sudan. He further said that the high-level mediation on South Sudan brought together eight categories of political parties and organizations, ensuring that the process was inclusive and homegrown.
“This initiative embodies the Pan-African policy of solving African challenges in Africa, contributing to the Silence the Guns in Africa initiative and transforming South Sudan, our region and the continent as a whole. “It fosters an environment for economic development,” he said. .
Malawi's President Lazarus Chakwera, Zambia's Hakainde Hichilema, Namibia's Nangolo Mbumba and Central African Republic's Faustin Alchange Touadera also attended a presentation following the African Union Agriculture Summit earlier in the day. did.
US special envoy for the Horn of Africa Mike Hammer welcomed the talks. “The United States commends Kenya's commitment to regional stability and peace support in South Sudan,” the U.S. Embassy in Kenya wrote to X after the launch.
Lazarus Sumbeiwo, the chief mediator of South Sudan's peace process, expressed confidence that the talks would resolve outstanding issues. He said: “Following this commencement, we plan to engage in sustained and ongoing mediation to ensure a prompt and comprehensive resolution of the matter, provided the parties follow the plan.”
Despite the 2018 peace agreement, South Sudan remains fragile and has not yet been fully implemented. The country is due to hold elections in December, but key issues such as the creation of a unified security force remain to be resolved. Opposition parties are calling for swift implementation of the peace agreement to pave the way for free and fair elections.
