By Deng Ghai Deng
Civil society activists and international observers have voiced their disappointment over the abrupt adjournment of the Tumaini Peace Talks, fearing it may derail the fragile peace process.
In a press release dated December 14, 2024, the Tumaini High-Level Mediation for South Sudan announced that the peace talks in Nairobi were adjourned until mid-January 2025.
The talks, which were relaunched on December 4, were initially expected to conclude within a 14-day timeframe. There were hopes of finalizing a deal as a Christmas gift for the people of South Sudan.
However, the adjournment has raised significant concerns among activists and civil society leaders, who are disappointed by the delay in addressing the suffering of South Sudanese citizens.
Laute Satimon Joel, Executive Director of Integrity South Sudan, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the decision, emphasizing that the ongoing postponement exacerbates the hardships faced by the people of South Sudan.
“The people of South Sudan continue to endure hardship and uncertainty every day because of the failed economic situation in our country,” Joel said. “With the high cost of living, poor medical services, inadequate infrastructure, and rampant corruption, the South Sudanese are suffering. Postponing these talks means further postponing the possibility of relief for our people.”
Joel called on all parties involved in the peace process to prioritize the well-being of citizens and work diligently toward a lasting solution, urging the government, opposition, and stakeholders to recommit to the peace process with urgency and dedication.
The mediators, in their statement, assured that key agenda items had been agreed upon during the first phase of talks, including a review of the relationship between the Tumaini Initiative and the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). These items will form the foundation for further negotiations when the talks resume.
Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of CEPO and one of the civil society delegates to the Tumaini peace talks, also voiced his concerns, urging both the government and the opposition to view the bridging proposal tabled by Kenyan mediation as complementary to the R-ARCSS.
He emphasized the need for a constructive and proactive approach from both sides to address the ongoing political instability in the country.
“My appeal to the leadership of the national government and the opposition is that they must engage with the bridging proposal in a genuine and constructive manner, as it is essential for bringing about political stability and peace,” Yakani stated.
Despite criticism from the public, with some fearing the talks may collapse, the government delegation expressed its commitment to the peace process.
They emphasized that the adjournment was only a short break to allow for consultations in Juba, with plans to resume talks in mid-January 2025.