The Tumaini Initiative, a peace talks between the South
Sudan government and opposition parties that did not sign the 2018 peace
agreement, has hit a roadblock.
The talks have stalled as the government delegates stand
divided following the withdrawal of the Sudan People’s Liberation
Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO).
“There are no discussions going on as we speak because the
government delegation is in Juba to consult with the leadership and we are
waiting for them to come back, whether as united after the withdrawal of SPLM
IO or the rest of the government will come and the IO will remain out,” said
Pagan Amum, leader of Real SPLM.
Amum further said: “The withdrawal of SPLM IO is
unreasonable and illogical. The SPLM IO and SPLM IG, in fact the entire R-TGoNU
have been struggling for the last six years to implement the R-ARCSS and they
have failed. Tumaini is here to rescue the country. I do not understand why anybody
would be against it.”
The SPLM-IO rejected the Tumaini Protocols and declared its
withdrawal from the process on July 12, arguing that it has established
alternative institutions to the 2018 peace accord.
This move has been criticized by various parties, including
civil society activist Edmund Yakani, who described it as a violation of the
commitments made in the Declaration signed by the parties which SPLM-IO was
among.
The government delegation, led by Presidential Envoy
Amb. Albino Mathom Ayuel has been making efforts to address the challenges
facing the Tumaini Initiative.
They have held meetings with First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar to discuss the SPLM-IO’s withdrawal and how to address their concerns.
Government spokesperson Michael Makuei told the media after meeting Dr. Machar that the SPLM-IO withdrawal from the process has weakened government position as the delegation was an inclusive team.
Their meeting with Dr. Machar resolved to have the concerns
addressed at the presidency level where all the five principals to the R-ARCSS
will decide on the withdrawal of the SPLM-IO.
Dr. Machar press secretary, Puok Both Baluang said the
meetings started last week at the presidency toward addressing their concerns.
“The first meeting was on Tuesday. It was the presidency receiving
briefing from the mediators of the Tumaini on the initialed protocols. That
meeting was followed by another presidency meeting chaired by His Excellency
the first vice president in attendance of the four vice presidents plus the members
of the high-level committee and the government delegation to Tumaini,” Puok stated.
Puok mentioned that the presidential meetings thoroughly
covered the initial protocols. They also decided to record all the
discussion minutes and revisit them for final decision once the president return
from South Africa where he had gone for bilateral discussion and consultation
with President Cyril Ramaphosa on Tumaini Initiative.
Kiir return to the country on Sunday and yet to resume the presidency
meetings aim at addressing the SPLM-IO concerns.
“We are still expecting a meeting to be chaired by His
excellency the president,” Puok said.
“The high-level committee also expressed their concerns equally to SPLM-IO concerns that led to their decision to withdraw from the talks but all in all the decision will be made after the meeting of the presidency and the high-level committee and the consensus will be reached on the matter but as of now, the SPLM-IO decision remains the same as long as our concerns are not addressed.”
