Kenya Hosts Crucial South Sudan Peace Talks from May 10
Peace negotiations between South Sudan’s government and the holdout groups are set to start on May 10 in Nairobi, marking a significant move towards ending the country’s ongoing disruptions to its rebuilding efforts.
Extensive, discreet negotiations in Nairobi have bridged the gap between the South Sudanese government and the holdout groups, leading to progress in the talks.
Kenya’s mediation, headed by former army commander Lazurus Sumbeiywo, who successfully negotiated the 2005 Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), may now lead to lasting peace.
Most holdout groups, initially hesitant, have warmed to the Kenyan-led mediation after initial reservations.
The holdout groups initially refused to sign the 2018 peace agreement brokered by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad), which ended a civil war between President Salva Kiir’s government and various armed groups in 2013. Though the Catholic Church attempted to mediate in Rome, the dialogue collapsed last year.
Sumbeiywo recently visited Juba and met with President Kiir, announcing that the talks would commence shortly. Several holdout group representatives confirmed that their delegates had arrived in Nairobi for pre-talks consultations.
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One holdout leader, Pagan Amum of the Real-SPLM, confirmed the talks will begin on May 10. Emmanuel Ajawin, chairperson of the National Democratic Movement Patriotic Front (NDM-PF), had initially expressed distrust in the talks led by Kenya’s president William Ruto, preferring the negotiations to be held in Rome.
However, President Ruto appointed Sumbeiywo to lead the talks in February, alleviating some distrust among those wary of President Ruto. Sumbeiywo’s discussions with President Kiir were productive, and he emphasized the need for South Sudan to focus on developing its institutions.
Most of the Real-SPLM delegation has arrived in Kenya, but Thomas Cirillo, the leader of the National Salvation Front (NAS), stated his group is still consulting with the Kenyan mediation team, not guaranteeing their participation in the talks. NAS advocates for a federal system of government and has been involved in sporadic skirmishes with government forces in Central Equatoria.
Negotiations between South Sudan’s transitional government and opposition groups, known as the Rome Initiative, were paused in March 2023 after the Juba delegation withdrew. President Kiir asked President Ruto to take over the mediation role in December 2023, citing slow progress in Rome.
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In February, President Ruto agreed to lead the mediation after consulting with the Sant’Egidio Community in Rome. The South Sudan United Front (SSUF) of former Army Chief Paul Malong has stated its readiness to negotiate under Kenyan mediation.
The SPLM-IO, led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, demands inclusion in the talks with the holdout groups, emphasizing their stake in the 2018 peace agreement and overall peace in the country. The SPLM-IO was displeased with Sumbeiywo meeting only with President Kiir in Juba.
The First Vice President faces pressure and concerns of isolation ahead of the December 2024 elections, as President Kiir continues to attract key SPLM-IO figures. Recently, over 150 SPLM-IO members defected to Kiir’s party in Unity State, citing mistreatment by the SPLM-IO leadership.
South Sudan’s Special Envoy in the talks, Albino Mathom, confirmed that President Kiir is ready to welcome his “brothers” back and engage in constructive dialogue.
Kenya Hosts Crucial South Sudan Peace Talks from May 10
