By No. 1 Citizen
President Salva Kiir has appointed a 15-member negotiating team, led by Senior Presidential Advisor Gen. Kuol Manyang Juuk, tasked with engaging holdout groups to reach an agreement on the political instability.
The formation of this new government delegation came after a meeting of the Presidency on Friday, which emphasized the need for an expedited conclusion to the talks between the government and opposition holdout groups under the Tumaini (Hope) consensus in Nairobi.
During the meeting, the country’s top political leaders from various parties stressed the urgency of finding a comprehensive solution to the ongoing political impasse.
They highlighted that achieving political stability and implementing economic reforms are crucial for the nation’s recovery, especially as South Sudan prepares for its first democratic elections since gaining independence.
Details about other members of the negotiating team have not yet been disclosed.
According to the Office of the President, Presidential Advisor on Security Affairs Tut Gatluak Manime stated that the meeting underscored the need for a united front in addressing the challenges facing the country.
Tut also said the meeting resolved that negotiators should approach the talks with an open mind and a strong commitment to securing a durable peace.
The Minister of Cabinet Affairs Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro reiterated the Government’s commitment to resolving the political conflict by ensuring that all voices are heard and all parties are included in the discussions.
This new team replaces the previous one, which was led by Albino Mathom, who was removed from his position as Presidential Peace Envoy and chief negotiator for the Tumaini Initiative last week.
The formation of the new team comes after a delay in the resumption of the Tumaini Talks, which were initially scheduled to begin on November 11th. The postponement occurred due to the government delegation’s failure to travel to Nairobi.
The appointment of Gen. Kuol will subsequently ignite the resumption of the Tumaini Talks, which are closely watched by regional and international observers.
Last week, the Tumaini Initiative Chief Mediator, Gen. Lazarus Sumbeiywo, issued a document inviting the parties in the talks to resume the talks this week.
The Initiative was launched on May 9, 2024, in Nairobi; however, it became stranded in the middle after the government delegation came to Juba for consultation and never returned as requested.
The Tumaini Initiative includes participation from major holdout 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), under the leadership of Gen. Stephen Buoy Rolnyang.
Major international donors in South Sudan, including the Troika group of nations, have voiced support for the Tumaini Initiative.