By Yiep Joseph
Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) has indicated that ongoing internal issues are preventing its delegation from proceeding with the Tumaini talks with holdout groups.
Earlier this year, discussions between the South Sudan government and the United People Alliance (UPA), a holdout group, resumed. However, the government delegation requested an adjournment of the talks to allow them to return to Juba and prepare for the commencement of the two-year transitional period.
As of now, a clear date for the resumption has not been set.
Addressing journalists over the weekend on the current political situation, particularly the Nasir conflict, the R-TGoNU reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive peace. It explained that the Nairobi talks are delayed due to pressing internal matters.
Michael Makuei Lueth, the Minister of Information, Communication Technology, and Postal Services, who also serves as the government spokesperson, revealed the government’s commitment to resolving these internal issues.
“The major problem is not the holdout groups who are participating in the Tumaini initiative. Our problem lies with internal holdout groups,” Makuei stated.
He added that the government will first address the concerns of these internal holdout groups before proceeding to engage with the non-signatories of the 2018 peace accord.
Makuei was responding to inquiries about the stalled Nairobi peace talks between the government and the holdout groups.
Launched on May 9, 2024, the Tumaini Initiative is a high-level mediation effort led by Kenya, aiming to achieve lasting peace in South Sudan by including opposition parties that did not sign the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
The Tumaini (Hope) initiative is viewed as a means to engage non-signatories in dialogue, with the hope of achieving inclusive peace in the country.
The adjournment of the talks occurred while South Sudan faces significant challenges, including 9 million people in need of humanitarian aid, 7.5 million experiencing food insecurity, and an influx of over 1 million returnees and refugees fleeing violence in neighboring Sudan.
However, the government’s continued delay in returning to Nairobi to resume the talks is causing concern among the population and stakeholders.
The opposition parties involved in the Kenyan-mediated Tumaini peace talks have urged South Sudanese citizens to support the initiative to prevent its collapse, citing the government’s perceived lack of commitment to its objectives.
Despite the president’s directive to conclude the talks within two weeks, the parties failed to reach an agreement.
The discussions were adjourned and rescheduled for January 6th due to a new deadlock over previously agreed-upon protocols.