By William Madouk
Parties in the Tumaini Initiative, on Saturday gathered at the home of Gen. Paul Malong Awan, leader of the South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A), in Nairobi, for a trust-building dinner.
This event organized by Gen. Malong aims to strengthen relationships and establish confidence among key stakeholders, as outlined in the Tumaini consensus protocols.
In a video seen by this out, Minister of Information Michael Makuei expressed his optimism, stating that it marks the beginning of a new path toward mutual trust.
He noted that the lack of trust has historically fueled disputes and conflicts among the people.
Makuei further emphasized the importance of ongoing efforts to build trust with the opposition.
“This is actually the beginning of foundation, it is the beginning of implementing this trust building which is the foundation for lasting peace,” he added.
Makuei, who is also the rapporteur of the talks stated that there is no peace without trust and confidence.
“Peace cannot come if there is no trust and confidence, we have come here to talk. so that we build trust and confidence because the source of the conflict all over the world is trust and confidence,” he noted.
He hinted that lack of trust and confidence always breeds disagreement and disputes.
“We are here to build trust and confidence and this is the beginning in the house of King Paul,” he added.
“Message to us is that building trust and confidence is not only by words it must be inscribed into our hearts in the first place and must be shown in our actions,” Makuei continued.
According to Makuei, President Salva Kiir has a strong political will to bring holdout groups on board, asserting that the President’s request to his Kenyan counterpart to mediate signifies it.
“We will go to South Sudan and continue to build that trust and confidence because building trust and confidence is not an event it is a process. So, if it is a process, it has started here and we will continue.”
Upbeat Makuei assured that the Tumaini initiative would achieve everlasting peace and improve service delivery for the people.
“We are optimistic that this Tumaini will achieve its objective and will move to South Sudan to start delivering service to our people.”
The head of the holdouts and the opposition Pagan Amum Okiech, however, appealed to the parties to the Tumaini Initiative to forget the past and focus and think about the sufferings of the South Sudanese people.
He said Tumaini is not a new discovery but an additional effort to the ongoing efforts to bring peace.
Rebecca Joshua Okwaci, a member of the government delegation, stated that it is important for the parties to move forward together in order to advance the peace talks.
“I believe this is the time for us to start showing that we are moving forward together.”
For his part, the Deputy Chief Negotiator, Ambassador Muhamed Guyu urged the parties to praise and pray for one another and continue to build trust.
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