By Yiep Joseph
Kenyan President William Ruto has reaffirmed his support for the Tumaini peace initiative, despite recent delays in the resumption of the process.
According to a statement released to the media, President Ruto received a comprehensive briefing on Thursday from the Tumaini Initiative mediators, led by retired Lt-General Lazarus Sumbeiywo and Ambassador Mohammed Guyo.
The briefing, held at State House, Nairobi, focused on “the evolving political and security landscape in South Sudan.”
Following the briefing, President Ruto emphasized that sustained peace in South Sudan remains a collective responsibility.
“Sustained peace in South Sudan remains a cornerstone of our collective regional stability,” Ruto stated.
The Kenyan leader reiterated Kenya’s commitment to fostering peace in South Sudan.
“Kenya reaffirms its unwavering commitment to working together with regional partners, and will continue to engage with the Republic of South Sudan in pursuit of sustainable peace, lasting stability, and a secure future for the people of our brotherly nation,” he said.
Earlier this year, Kenyan mediators adjourned the Tumaini Talks after disagreements emerged between the holdout groups and the South Sudanese government delegation.
The talks were specifically adjourned at the request of the government delegation, to allow for preparations for the extended transitional period on February 22, 2025.
In response to the government’s request for adjournment, the United People’s Alliance (UPA) criticized the repeated pauses in the Tumaini peace talks, accusing the government of indifference to the suffering of the South Sudanese people.
In a press statement, UPA Spokesperson and Secretary-General Lual Dau condemned the government’s actions, stating that “the government of South Sudan has decided to walk out once again from the Tumaini initiative.” The UPA asserts that this obstruction demonstrates a lack of commitment to peace.
“The government delegation’s negative, obstructive, and anti-Tumaini behavior reflects that achieving peace is not their priority,” Dau noted.
In a separate call, the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) urged both the government and the opposition to expedite the signing of the Tumaini peace deal, which has been under negotiation for months since May 2024.
“The government is imposing conditions due to the opposition’s change of their group’s name to the United People’s Alliance (UPA),” the CPA stated.
The organization emphasized that “achieving lasting peace requires a thoughtful approach that enables the government, the opposition, stakeholders, and members of the People’s Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA) to negotiate in good faith. South Sudan cannot afford to return to full-scale war, as all citizens are yearning for durable peace and security.”