By No. 1 Citizen
President Salva Kiir Mayardit and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny met yesterday to review the status of the Revitalised Peace Agreement and to address pressing economic challenges, including the critical issue of oil flow through Sudan.
According to the Office of the President, the meeting is part of ongoing efforts to foster sustainable peace and stability in the country.
In his remarks, President Kiir emphasized the importance of economic stability for the welfare of the citizens.
He then instructed the Ministers of Finance and Petroleum to collaborate on initiatives aimed at stabilizing the economy and enhancing the quality of life for the population.
The discussions also touched on the overarching goal of ensuring that the benefits of peace translate into tangible improvements for the citizens, the office of the president added.
The leaders acknowledged that economic revitalization is crucial for consolidating peace and preventing a relapse into conflict.
Speaking after the meeting, Presidential Advisor on National Security Affairs, Tut Gatluak Manime, announced that an expanded meeting of the Presidency is scheduled for Friday (Today).
This meeting will focus on the resumption of the Nairobi Tumaini Peace Initiative, which aims to facilitate ongoing negotiations between the Government and opposition holdout groups.
The initiative is seen as vital for uniting various factions and promoting comprehensive peace.
Manime reiterated the Government’s commitment to achieving lasting peace and stability across the nation.
He noted that the administration is actively engaging in extensive mediation efforts to resolve outstanding issues and foster cooperation among all stakeholders.
The resumption of peace talks between the South Sudan government and holdout opposition groups was delayed after the government delegation failed to arrive in Nairobi on November 11, as initially scheduled.
The Kenya-led Tumaini (Hope) Peace Initiative, which was expected to restart on Monday, hinges on the participation of both the government and opposition representatives.
The peace talks were originally set to resume after 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.
Regional leaders, including President Ruto, have been instrumental in supporting the peace talks, emphasizing that stability in South Sudan is critical for the security and prosperity of the entire Horn of Africa.
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.