In order to
facilitate the peace process, the delegates of the Tumaini Initiative have
settled on eight protocols.
These comprise general guidelines for interpreting and implementing the promises made during the Nairobi peace talks.
Others are on humanitarian access and support; trust- and confidence-building measures; and permanent ceasefire, security arrangements, and reforms.
“The parties
commit to the reform and reorganization of the security sector in order to
create unified professional national forces that include the armed opposition
groups,” it reads in parts.
Several
reports suggest that the army in South Sudan is unprofessional, with some
soldiers aligning themselves with individual political leaders, especially
fellow tribesmen.
This,
according to observers, has fueled the conflicts, especially the December 2013
civil war and the renewed violence in July 2016.
The
delegates and mediation team also initialed the protocol on communal conflicts,
armed civilians, and land disputes.
Apart from
the polarization of the communities by politicians, land disputes have cost
lives in the county.
This is
exacerbated by the proliferation of firearms in the hands of civilians.
“The parties
and the stakeholders agree that the government, through public participation,
shall identify the root causes of communal conflicts and violence and land
disputes and provide solutions so as to contribute to overall peace and
stability in South Sudan,” it continues.
The
delegates also initialed the protocol on guarantors – internal and external
guarantors, who shall guarantee and take the lead in the implementation of the
Tumaini Consensus.
This
includes the creation of the National Leadership Council (NLC), which is
responsible for providing political stewardship and oversight in the
implementation of the Tumaini Consensus.
“NLC shall
preside over and resolve disputes and conflicts in matters related to the
implantation of the Tumaini Consensus,” it stipulates.
Amb. Albino
Mathom, Gen. Pa'gan Amum, Gen. Paul Malong, Gen. Stephen Buay, Gen. Mario Loku,
and Dr. Pauline Riek initialed the Tumaini Consensus for Sustainable Peace in
South Sudan on July 15.
These
individuals represent the South Sudan government, Real-SPLM, the South Sudan
United Front, the South Sudan People's Movement, the National Salvation Front,
and Academia, respectively.
Others
included representatives of faith-based groups, youth, women, IGAD, the Kenyan
government, and the chief mediator, Gen. Lazaro Sumbeiywo.
Launched on
May 9, 2024, the Tumaini Initiative brings together the holdout groups and the
government of South Sudan to forge a way forward. "Tumaini" is
Swahili for hope.