President William Ruto of Kenya is in Juba to engage in peace talks with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, focusing on ending enduring conflicts through the Tumaini initiative and strategic infrastructure projects, including the Lapsset Corridor, aimed at enhancing trade. Kenya has been facilitating discussions among feuding factions to promote a resolution and sustain long-term peace efforts in South Sudan.
Kenya’s President William Ruto has embarked on a diplomatic mission to Juba, South Sudan, aimed at fostering peace and addressing prolonged conflicts that have hindered the nation’s reconstruction. As confirmed by State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed, President Ruto’s discussions with President Salva Kiir will be centered around establishing a sustainable peace framework, particularly through the Tumaini initiative. This initiative has progressed over the past six months, highlighting successful dialogues with essential South Sudanese stakeholders to ensure a stable peace in the region. Additionally, the discussions are expected to encompass the advancement of strategic infrastructure projects, including the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) Corridor, which aspires to enhance trade by connecting South Sudan with the Indian Ocean. Following a meeting on Tuesday with representatives of South Sudanese opposition groups regarding the Tumaini Initiative, Ruto facilitated a consensus aimed at concluding the ongoing negotiations. Kenya has assumed a mediating role in the conflicts between South Sudan’s factions. Earlier this year, President Ruto led a team of leaders in reaffirming their commitment to peaceful resolutions, uniting various parties against continued violence. The mediation effort is spearheaded by former army commander Lazurus Sumbeiywo, who played a pivotal role in negotiating the 2005 Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement, ultimately paving the way for South Sudan’s independence in 2011. Notably, many factions that previously resisted joining the peace process have become more receptive to the Kenyan-led initiatives. This shift follows a history where these groups had declined to endorse the 2018 peace agreement brokered by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad), which concluded a conflict stemming from civil war that erupted in 2013.
The ongoing conflict in South Sudan has led to significant instability since the civil war began in 2013. Various factions have emerged, continually complicating peace efforts. Kenya has taken a proactive stance in mediating talks, particularly through the Tumaini initiative, which seeks to create a sustainable peace framework. This diplomatic engagement aims not only to resolve conflicts but also to facilitate vital regional infrastructure developments that can strengthen economic ties between South Sudan and Kenya. The involvement of experienced mediators, such as Lazurus Sumbeiywo, adds credibility to these efforts, directly linking contemporary initiatives to past agreements that transitioned South Sudan towards independence.
In summary, President William Ruto’s visit to South Sudan underscores Kenya’s commitment to fostering peace in a nation plagued by conflict. The Tumaini initiative serves as a pivotal framework for dialogue among various factions. By addressing both peace and infrastructure development, Kenya aims to create a comprehensive approach to stability and growth in the region. Enhanced cooperation is crucial for reinforcing the economic bond between South Sudan and Kenya, which could lead to lasting peace and recovery for South Sudan.
Original Source: www.theeastafrican.co.ke
