A religious leader in the Nairobi peace talks is calling on
parties to demonstrate political responsibility and maturity to bring about a
lasting peace in South Sudan.
Dr. Paul Yugusuk, Archbishop of the Episcopal Church of
South Sudan, Central Equatoria Internal Province said the Tumaini Initiative is
the last chance for government and the oppositions to make solid peace in South
Sudan.
“This is a high time for all the leaders from the
government, opposition, all of us. It's a high time for us to indeed unite and
to bring about peace. This is, to me, just like a last chance to come
together,” said Dr. Yugusuk on Sunday.
“We are one people. I think we have identified our
challenges, and I see there is no need for us, again, to continue conflicting,
but to reason together, to unite, and to foster peace in South Sudan. So, it is
our collective responsibility, as leaders to show our leadership through unity
and peace for South Sudan.”
The parties in the Tumaini Initiative are SSOMA, government
and other opposition groups.
SSOMA is a coalition of parties who did not sign the
revitalized peace agreement. The oppositions have been in negotiations with the
government since 2020 in Rome mediated by the Community of Sant Egidio but
three years since the discussion started, no political agreement has yet been
reached.
In December 2023, President
Salva Kiir wrote to Kenyan president Dr. William Samoei Ruto asking him
to take over the mantle of mediation from the community of Sant Egidio in Rome
citing that the talks took long in Rome without resolution.
The government is now negotiating a peace deal with the
oppositions under the mediation of Kenyan president Dr. William Samoei Ruto.
On Friday, a civil society activist told The Radio Community
that the negotiation is progressing well, and that the oppositions leaders
might soon be in Juba.
Edmund Yakani, executive director of the Community
Empowerment for Progress said the parties are expected to sign the deal this
week.
"The mediation is going better compared to the four
years we wasted in Rome. At least this one is promising and as I speak,
documents are ready to be sign and that's one thing I would like to assure the
citizens and of course upon signing these protocols, immediately the team of
the opposition will be in Juba," said Edmund.
The mediators are now reviewing the position papers of the
parties and doing consultation with the civil society, government delegations,
religious leaders and the oppositions groups.
