Kenya’s President William Ruto has embarked on a crucial mission to Juba, South Sudan, in a bid to facilitate peace talks and bring an end to the ongoing conflicts that have hindered the country’s reconstruction efforts. State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed announced the visit, highlighting President Ruto’s meeting with President Salva Kiir to lay the groundwork for sustainable peace through the Tumaini initiative.
According to a statement from State House, the Tumaini initiative has made significant progress over the past six months through extensive consultations with key South Sudanese stakeholders, setting the stage for lasting peace in the region. The discussions during the visit will also center on advancing mutual infrastructure projects aimed at enhancing connectivity and trade between the two nations.
President Ruto’s visit follows a meeting with representatives of South Sudanese opposition parties involved in the Tumaini Initiative, who have expressed their readiness to endorse the Tumaini Consensus after successful negotiations. Kenya has been actively mediating talks between conflicting parties in South Sudan, with a commitment to fostering peace and ending violence.
Notably, Kenya’s mediation efforts are spearheaded by former army commander Lazurus Sumbeiywo, who played a pivotal role in mediating the 2005 Sudan Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that paved the way for South Sudan’s independence in 2011. The acceptance of Kenyan-led mediation by previously hesitant groups signifies a positive step towards reconciliation and stability in the region.
The majority of holdout groups, which initially resisted signing the 2018 peace deal brokered by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad), have now shown willingness to engage in the peace process. This development marks a significant shift in the dynamics of the conflict, offering hope for a resolution to the longstanding civil war that has plagued South Sudan since 2013.
