Kenyan President William Ruto met with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and First Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar in Juba on Wednesday to advance the Tumaini Initiative, a Kenya-led peace dialogue aimed at resolving ongoing conflicts in South Sudan.
President Ruto, who is hosting the peace talks in Nairobi, highlighted the progress made in bringing South Sudan’s government and opposition back to the negotiating table.
“I am pleased that the parties involved in South Sudan’s peace process have agreed to resume mediation in Nairobi to address remaining issues,” he said. “It is encouraging to see that the gaps between the government and opposition can be bridged, creating a pathway toward a new era of sustainable peace and prosperity.”
During the discussions in Juba, President Ruto and South Sudanese leaders agreed to involve the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) as a key partner in the peace process. IGAD’s engagement aims to strengthen regional collaboration and secure additional support from the international community to facilitate a lasting solution.
President Ruto emphasized that broad political goodwill is essential to achieving lasting peace in South Sudan, urging both regional and global partners to actively support the Tumaini Initiative.
The Tumaini talks, named after the Swahili word for “hope,” seek to address core issues of governance, security, and resource-sharing that have fueled conflict in South Sudan for years.
The Tumaini Initiative is a peace process aimed at engaging South Sudanese political leaders who have not signed the Revitalized Agreement currently implemented by the government.
Notable figures in these talks include former SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum, former SPLA Chief of Staff General Paul Malong Awan, and General Buay Rolnyang, among others.
While the initiative has been ongoing for nearly a year, significant progress remains elusive. The goal is to encourage these leaders to return to Juba and actively participate in nation-building efforts, yet tangible steps to achieve this have been limited so far.
The Tumaini Initiative seeks to bridge longstanding political divides, ultimately fostering a more inclusive and united South Sudan.
