By Manas James Okony
Senior Presidential Advisor and head of the government delegation to the Tumaini Initiative, Gen. Kuol Manyang Juuk, has vowed to bring peace to South Sudan, as the government delegation prepares to leave for Nairobi.
“I’m going with an open heart to Nairobi to bring peace home,” declares Gen. Kuol.
The Tumaini Initiative, a peace process aimed at resolving outstanding issues in the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), is in its final stages.
The delegation is scheduled to travel to Nairobi on November 27th to engage in talks with the South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance (SSOMA).
In an interview with No. 1 Citizen Daily Newspaper, Gen. Kuol, expresses optimism that peace is within reach.
He emphasized the importance of public opinion in his decision to pursue peace, stating, “peace is the only option. I’m ready to engage in talks in good faith.”
Once a staunch critic of negotiations with dissenting factions, he has now changed his stance on the Tumaini initiative.
Acknowledging his previous critiques, he said, “everyone has the right to express their opinion. However, I’ve come to realize that the majority is often right. With this newfound understanding, I approach these discussions with an open heart, hoping to facilitate a return to peace for all.”
Gen. Kuol stated that while the delegation will not renegotiate the already agreed-upon Tumaini protocols, they will seek adjustments to align with the R-ARCSS.
“After our initial talks, it became clear that some agreed-upon points did not conform to the R-ARCSS, which is a foundational legal framework for our government,” he explained. “We are not starting anew but rather refining previously agreed points.”
The head of the government delegation clarified that Tumaini was intended to enrich the R-ARCSS rather than running parallel to it.
Gen. Kuol confirmed that his delegation is ready to resume talks, stating, “some of my team will arrive in Nairobi on Wednesday, while I will travel on Thursday. The rest will follow Friday. Our budget has been approved by the presidency, and discussions will begin soon.”
The veteran war general, who also serves as a senior presidential advisor, urged his fellow citizens to remain hopeful.
“Our nation has suffered since 2013. Every conflict has a solution. We are determined to return with peace, as I believe the opposing side also desires the same, given the hardships our people endure. Personally, I joined the movement not to seek power, but to ensure freedom for our people,” he said.
“We are not approaching this with a desire to cling to our positions but to create space for others. I believe my brothers in the opposition share this mindset. We must bring peace to advance our nation. South Sudan is rich in resources—fertile soil, water, and sunlight. What we lack is the human effort to convert these resources into food,” he added.
South Sudan has faced turmoil and conflict since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, culminating in a civil war that erupted in December 2013.
This violent conflict has led to widespread suffering, displacement, and a deep humanitarian crisis affecting millions.
Numerous efforts to broker peace have been made, yet many negotiations have faltered, exacerbating frustrations.
The Tumaini peace initiative, led by Kenyan President William Ruto, was launched in May 2024 as a renewed effort to facilitate dialogue and reconciliation with holdout opposition groups, following the stagnation of previous Rome talks led by the Community of Saint Egidio.