South Sudan government, rebel groups sign peace pact
May 16, 2024 (NAIROBI) – South Sudan government and rebel opposition groups on Thursday signed a commitment declaration for lasting peace.
The agreement, signed during the high-level mediation talks in Kenya, is seen as key in ongoing efforts to end the conflict that has engulfed the young nation.
Chaired by the Kenyan mediator, Major-Gen (rtd) Lazarus Sumbeiywo, the talks are between the Juba government and rebel opposition groups that were not part of the September 2018 peace agreement that ended a five-year civil war.
The talks have been dubbed Tumaini, meaning hope in the Swahili language.
The content of the agreement was, however, not made public at the ceremony.
The two parties pledged to support efforts to end hostilities and promote peace.
Several senior government officials, diplomats, opposition groups, civil society as well as partners witnessed the commitment made to bring peace in the country.
Kenya’s principal secretary of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Abraham Korir Sing’oei said parties to the South Sudan peace process, including the government and opposition groups had an obligation to promote justice, governance, economic growth and security sector reforms, to achieve long-term stability in the country.
The talks that attracted government officials and opposition groups as well as civil society members aim to establish a foundation for lasting peace in South Sudan.
The leader of the South Sudanese government delegation, Albino Mathom said the talks showed why home-grown solutions are key in tackling regional conflicts.
He urged the parties to open a chapter for renewed hope, peace and justice.
The spokesperson for the South Sudanese opposition groups, Pagan Amum Okiech said the signing of the declaration of commitment to the Tumaini Initiative ushered in a new era of durable peace, unity and respect for political pluralism.
For his part, the Kenyan chief mediator at the talks expressed faith in the commitment of all parties to ending hostilities that bode ill for stability in the region.
The Rome-based Sant’Egidio Community, adjourned the peace talks between South Sudan’s transitional government and the non-signatories South Sudanese opposition groups after they disagreed on the agenda of the talks in March 2023.
In December last year, President Salva Kiir, through the Minister of Presidential Affairs, requested his Kenyan counterpart, William Ruto to mediate between the government and the non-signatories to the September 2018 peace agreement.
(ST)