Kenya to resume high-level mediation talks for South Sudan in January 2025
By Mwangi Maina |
The peace talks, which began in May 2024, experienced a setback in mid-July over concerns about aligning the process with South Sudan’s 2018 peace agreement.
The Kenyan Government is set to resume high-level mediation talks for South Sudan in January 2025, under the HOPE Initiative aimed at fostering lasting peace in the country.
The peace talks, which began in May 2024, experienced a setback in mid-July over concerns about aligning the process with South Sudan’s 2018 peace agreement. However, on November 6, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and Kenyan President William Ruto agreed to restart the discussions.
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The mediation, known as “Tumaini”—Swahili for “hope”—focuses on South Sudan’s government and opposition groups that were excluded from the 2018 peace deal, which ended a devastating five-year civil war that claimed more than 400,000 lives.
The talks will reconvene in Nairobi in mid-January 2025, following a temporary adjournment requested by the South Sudanese government delegation for consultations in Juba. Port Cultural, Deputy Head of the South Sudan Peace Initiative, clarified that the pause was strategic and not a collapse of the dialogue.
“The break was not a collapse of the talks but a strategic pause to ensure broader inclusivity and participation in the peace process,” he explained.
Lual Dao, Secretary-General of the South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance, underscored the importance of power-sharing in the ongoing discussions.
“Restructuring the government is critical for achieving true peace,” Dao stated, emphasizing the need for genuine inclusivity.
Similarly, Pagan Amum, leader of the Real Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement, highlighted the progress made during the negotiations.
“An agreement has been reached on the constitutional process, including a consultative conference in Nairobi to engage South Sudanese both at home and in the diaspora,” Amum revealed.
The mediation process faces significant challenges, including delayed elections and financial constraints, but remains vital for South Sudan’s stability. Despite these hurdles, the Kenyan-led initiative continues to provide a critical platform for dialogue and reconciliation.
The upcoming talks in January are seen as a pivotal step toward resolving South Sudan’s protracted political and security crises, offering renewed hope for sustainable peace in the region.
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