The African Union (AU) Mission to South Sudan has urged the government to swiftly recommence its involvement in the Tumaini Initiative peace negotiations and guarantee their timely resolution.
The peace negotiations, which recommenced in Nairobi on November 11, 2024, have not yet witnessed the presence of government representatives.
Last Friday, the South Sudanese
Presidency emphasized the urgency of finalizing negotiations between the
government and opposition holdout groups under the initiative.
President Salva Kiir has
appointed a 15-member delegation, led by senior presidential advisor Kuol
Manyang Juuk, to negotiate with opposition groups in pursuit of a resolution to
the country's political instability.
On Monday, the South Sudan Opposition Movements' Alliance (SSOMA) and other opposition factions condemned the government for its nonattendance at the discussions, despite having received a second invitation to the Tumaini Initiative.
Professor Joram Mukama Biswaro, head of the AU Mission to South Sudan, stressed the importance of concluding the peace talks, highlighting their role in advancing the permanent constitution-making process.
"The Tumaini Initiative
outcomes will complement the constitution-making process. Certain unresolved
issues have implications for constitutional activities, which is why concluding
the talks in Nairobi is essential," Professor Biswaro stated.
He additionally asked the government to participate promptly, highlighting the commitment demonstrated by President Kiir and his Kenyan counterpart, President William Ruto.
“I appeal for early participation in the Nairobi peace talks. Concluding these discussions within the next two weeks would be beneficial,” he added.
Professor Biswaro emphasized
that the successful completion of the talks would provide critical input for
the National Constitutional Review Commission (NCRC), ensuring timely progress
on related initiatives.
