President William Ruto and South Sudan President Salva Kiir have issued a two-week ultimatum in a bid to resolve the ongoing dispute between the South Sudan government and hold out groups within the country that have been threatening the country’s fragile peace.
Ruto personally flew to South Sudan to meet with President Salva Kiir and First Vice-President Riek Machar as they sought to salvage the Tumaini Initiative, which was launched on May 9, 2024. The initiative has been facing several challenges over the last few weeks, with some groups issuing fresh demands late in the talks.
The meeting proved to be a constructive one, as President Ruto crucially stepped in to ensure negotiations between South Sudan’s two warring factions continued even though the Tumaini Initiative was on the verge of collapse.Â
“Glad that the parties involved in South Sudan’s peace process have agreed to resume mediation in Nairobi to address outstanding issues,” President Ruto said in a statement.
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President William Ruto and South Sudan president Salva Kiir. PHOTO/ William Ruto
With Ruto’s mediation, crucial strides were made, but the mediation process is far from over. After the meeting, the two presidents directed the mediation team to reconvene in two weeks to resolve outstanding issues.
Further, the two Presidents also resolved to get the regional endorsement of the Tumaini Initiative international community by bagging on the influence of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) This, they believe, will enable the full implementation of the initiative.
“We agreed to involve the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in the process to engage the entire region and secure support from the international community for political goodwill, both regionally and globally,” a statement from the President said.
From the meeting, the two Heads of State also resolved to convene for a second session of the Joint Commission for Cooperation (JCC), which will be hosted by South Sudan.
The inaugural JCC was held in October 2023 between Kenya and Angola in a landmark moment where Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with neighbouring African states for growth in sectors such as agriculture, education, and healthcare.
Why it matters: South Sudan’s holding groups had initially threatened to derail the country’s political stability after their refusal to sign the R-ARCSS (Revitalised Agreement on Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan) which brought in place a transitional government.
The groups were also skeptical of the Tumaini Initiative amid rumours that the initiative was primarily meant to benefit the South Sudanese government at the holding groups’ expense.
Part of the challenges the R-ARCSS has faced include questions on funding and accountability. These issues, which South Sudan holding groups are mainly concerned about, are expected to be addressed through the Tumaini Initiative.Â
President William Ruto inspecting a guard of honour at the Kenya Forest Service cadets pass out parade in Gilgil, Nakuru on October 28, 2024.
Ministry of Environment
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