By Deng Ghai Deng
Failure of South Sudan government delegation to arrive Nairobi on November 11, as initially scheduled, has delayed the much-anticipated resumption of peace talks with holdout opposition groups.
The Kenya-led Tumaini (Hope) Peace Initiative which was expected to restart on Monday, hinges on response of the government and opposition representatives.
“The chief mediator wrote us a letter on the commencement of the Tumaini talks today (Yesterday). However, we have not seen the government delegation in the venue yet. Hopefully, we will see them today (Monday),” a member of the opposition delegation, who wished to remain anonymous told this publication.
However, Michael Makuei Lueth, Minister of Information and a member of the government delegation, revealed that they have not received any instructions.
“The talks are supposed to begin today (Monday), but we have not yet received any directive to go,” Makuei told this publication.
The peace talks were originally set to resume after Kenyan President William Ruto visited Juba last week, where he met with President Kiir, First Vice President Riek Machar, and other key stakeholders in the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU).
The discussions were expected to build on the progress made since the peace initiative’s launch in May 2024.
The Tumaini Peace Initiative aims to mediate and resolve conflicts involving holdout opposition groups that have yet to endorse the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). So far, nine key protocols have been agreed upon, marking notable progress in the peace process.
Despite some setbacks, including a significant delay in July when the South Sudanese government raised concerns over proposed mechanisms, the initiative has continued to attract international support.
Major international donors, including the Troika group of nations, have expressed backing for the Tumaini talks.
The initiative involves several holdout opposition groups, including the Real Sudan People’s Liberation Movement led by Pagan Amum, the South Sudan United Front led by former SSPDF Chief of Staff Paul Malong Awan, and the South Sudan People’s Movement/Army (SSPM/A), led by Gen. Stephen Buoy Rolnyang.
These groups have long resisted the peace deal signed in 2018, and the ongoing talks are seen as critical to achieving lasting peace in South Sudan.
The delay of the peace talks highlights the ongoing challenges in the peace process and raises questions about the parties’ commitment to the mediation efforts.