Kenya is set to resume high-level mediation talks for South Sudan in January 2025 under the HOPE Initiative, aimed at fostering sustainable peace. The discussions, initially started in May 2024, faced setbacks but were reaffirmed by South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and Kenyan President William Ruto. The mediation focuses on inclusivity, addressing both the government and overlooked opposition groups, essential for transformative peace in South Sudan.
The government of Kenya is slated to recommence high-level mediation talks for South Sudan in January 2025 as part of the HOPE Initiative aimed at establishing enduring peace within the nation. Initially launched in May 2024, these peace discussions faced interruptions in July due to concerns regarding the alignment with South Sudan’s 2018 peace agreement. Nevertheless, on November 6, 2024, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and Kenyan President William Ruto agreed to resume the negotiations.
The mediation effort, titled “Tumaini”—meaning “hope” in Swahili—targets both the South Sudanese government and opposition factions overlooked in the original 2018 peace accord, which concluded a five-year civil conflict resulting in over 400,000 fatalities. The talks are anticipated to reconvene in Nairobi in mid-January 2025 following a temporary hiatus requested by the South Sudanese government delegation for consultations in Juba. Port Cultural, the Deputy Head of the South Sudan Peace Initiative, emphasized that the pause was a tactical decision intended to foster broader inclusivity and participation in the peace dialogues.
Moreover, Lual Dao, Secretary-General of the South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance, highlighted that restructuring the government is paramount for attaining authentic peace. Furthermore, Pagan Amum, leader of the Real Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement, noted progress within the negotiations, stating that an agreement has been reached regarding the constitutional process, which includes a consultative conference in Nairobi aimed at engaging South Sudanese nationals both domestically and in the diaspora.
Despite facing considerable challenges, such as postponed elections and financial limitations, the Kenyan-led mediation initiative plays a critical role in fostering dialogue and reconciliation. The upcoming discussions in January are viewed as a significant opportunity to address South Sudan’s enduring political and security crises, offering renewed hope for sustainable peace in the region.
The peace mediation talks for South Sudan represent a critical effort to resolve ongoing political and security issues stemming from the nation’s past civil war. Initiated in 2018, the peace agreement aimed to end hostilities, yet various factions have remained excluded from ongoing discussions. Kenya, as a key regional player, has taken on the responsibility of facilitating these high-level talks to promote inclusivity and stability in South Sudan, which has faced significant challenges in establishing a lasting peace.
In conclusion, the resumption of the high-level mediation talks for South Sudan in January 2025 signifies a pivotal moment in the quest for peace and stability in the region. The emphasis on inclusivity and power-sharing during these dialogues is essential for ensuring a sustainable resolution to the ongoing crises. Both the South Sudanese and Kenyan leaders’ commitment to restart discussions is a positive development amidst the challenges faced by the mediation process.
Original Source: eastleighvoice.co.ke
