The Government said on Friday it is reviewing a newly proposed framework for the Tumaini Initiative, a peace and pre-election dialogue process.
Ambassador Thomas Kenneth Elisapana, spokesperson for the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, confirmed receipt of
the proposal and emphasized that it is under study.
“The government has received official notification, and, of
course, there is a body managing this,” Elisapana told reporters on Friday in
Juba.
“The notification is under study. After it has been studied,
you will be informed about what will happen.”
The framework was handed over on January 29 in Nairobi by
the initiative’s Chief Facilitator, retired Lt. Gen. Lazaro K. Sumbeiywo, to
President Salva Kiir’s National Security Advisor, Tut Gatluak Manime.
Sumbeiywo proposed that talks resume on February 9, 2026,
and conclude within four weeks, under a process supported by the Intergovernmental
Authority on Development (IGAD) and international partners.
It calls on Kenyan President William Ruto to work with
President Kiir to ensure a South Sudanese-led process. Talks are expected to
prioritize ending hostilities, protecting civilians, delivering humanitarian
aid, and arranging power-sharing.
Longer-term goals include security sector reform,
disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of forces (DDR), transitional
justice, and permanent constitution-making.
The Tumaini Initiative said the framework has been shared
with key stakeholders, including the Sudan People’s Liberation
Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), the United Peoples’ Alliance, the South Sudan
Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA), civil society groups, and the South
Sudan Council of Churches.
Previous Tumaini talks, launched in May 2024 at President Kiir’s request, were adjourned for the third time on February 7, 2025, without producing concrete outcomes.