By Deng Ghai Deng
Parties to the Tumaini Initiative have agreed to resume negotiations in Nairobi, Kenyan President William Ruto announced the development on Wednesday.
“It is encouraging to see that the gaps between the government and opposition can be bridged, consequently paving the way for a new era of sustainable peace and prosperity,” Ruto said in a statement after meeting President Salva Kiir and Dr, Riek Machar.
The talks, which had stalled for some time, are now set to be reinvigorated under the leadership of President Ruto.
The leaders held discussions on the Tumaini Initiative, a peace process aimed at addressing the root causes of the conflict that has plagued the country for years.
Key to the success of the renewed talks, President Ruto emphasized, is the inclusion of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in the peace process.
“We agreed to involve IGAD in the process to engage the entire region and secure support from the international community for political goodwill, both regionally and globally,” Ruto said.
The agreement comes at a critical time as South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011, continues to struggle with internal conflicts, economic instability, and humanitarian crises.
Leaders and international observers are hopeful that the resumption of mediation could bring about a breakthrough, with the potential to foster lasting peace and stability in the region.