IGAD leaders encouraged support for reconciliation initiatives in South Sudan, highlighting the importance of grassroots peace dialogues and the engagement of religious, traditional, and civil leaders. Increasing violence has raised urgent calls for dialogue and the inclusion of marginalized groups. The Tumaini Initiative is recognized as a vital effort to foster peace and inclusion amid the nation’s ongoing challenges.
Members of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have urged faith-based, civil, and traditional leaders to support reconciliation and peaceful coexistence initiatives in South Sudan. This call followed their 43rd Extraordinary Assembly held on March 12, where they praised grassroots peace dialogues within the nation, which gained independence from Sudan in July 2011. The statement emphasized the critical role of various societal groups in advocating for the inclusion and empowerment of women, youth, and other underrepresented factions in the reconciliation process.
The assembly included Heads of States from IGAD’s member countries, including Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, and Burundi. They convened virtually to discuss the deteriorating security conditions in South Sudan, marked by increasing violence and the violation of ceasefire agreements. The emphasis was placed on dialogue as the essential method for resolving disputes in the country.
IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu reported on South Sudan’s worsening situation, particularly highlighting escalated violence beginning on March 4, 2025. This episode saw approximately 6,000 white army members attack a South Sudan People’s Defense Force (SSPDF) encampment, resulting in substantial casualties. Gebeyehu further detailed a tragic incident on March 7 during a UN mission operation intended to evacuate stranded SSPDF personnel.
The report presented to IGAD’s Extraordinary Summit outlined the urgent need for collaborative efforts to foster reconciliation. It advocated additional support for the Tumaini Initiative, which aims to engage non-signatories of peace agreements and develop a comprehensive strategy for inclusivity while countering divisive narratives. Faith-based organizations have been pivotal in peace-building efforts in South Sudan, aiming to heal divisions.
On December 20, 2024, Stephene Cardinal Ameyu of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba heralded the Tumaini Peace Initiative, stressing its potential to mend the divides caused by civil conflicts. Despite skepticism regarding past peace agreements, Cardinal Ameyu advised against despair, underscoring the Church’s vital mediating role in promoting unity and reconciliation, stating, “The Church is there to help people come together. If we address these conflicts, peace will prevail in South Sudan.”
In conclusion, the IGAD Heads of State have called upon leaders across various sectors to support reconciliation initiatives in South Sudan amid rising security concerns. They emphasized dialogue and the inclusion of marginalized groups as essential to enduring peace. The Tumaini Initiative has been highlighted as a crucial strategy for fostering inclusivity and healing divisions within South Sudan, underlining the significance of faith-based organizations in the peace-building process.
Original Source: www.aciafrica.org
