Peace talks between the transitional government and some members of the holdout group will be launched this evening in Kenya, according to the South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A), one of the opposition groups led by former army chief Gen. Paul Malong.

The mediation is being led by former Kenya army commander Lazurus Sumbeiywo, who also mediated the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005 which gave Southern Sudan autonomy and later led to a referendum for independence in 2011.

Two prominent members of the holdout opposition group, who did not join the 2018 peace agreement, have accepted the Kenyan-led mediation after some months of suspicion.

Delegates of the SSUF/A, led by former army chief Gen. Paul Malong, and Real-SPLM, led by former SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum, have announced their readiness to participate in the Nairobi peace talks.

Initially, the peace talks were being mediated by the Community of Sant'Egidio in Rome, but dialogue stalled in March last year.

Garang Deng, the spokesman of the SSUF/A, told Radio Tamazuj Thursday afternoon that the peace talks will be launched this evening, saying the meditation team decided to change the date.

"The talks were initially planned to take place on May 10, but the schedule changed to today. Today is the launching of the process, but negotiations will begin either on Friday or Saturday," he explained.

When asked about the members of the holdout group that are ready to be part of the talks, Garang said," Real-SPLM leader Pagan Amum has arrived in Nairobi, and SSUF/A leader Gen. Paul Malong is here in Nairobi."

Separately, President Salva Kiir Mayardit travelled to Nairobi, Kenya, this morning to attend the launch of the Nairobi peace process between the transitional government and the holdout group who did not sign the 2018 peace agreement. 

Kiir's Press Secretary, Lily Adhieu Martin Manyiel, said the president will also hold bilateral meetings with Kenya's President, William Ruto.

In December 2023, President Salva Kiir Mayardit requested Kenya's President William Ruto to take over the mediation lead from the community of Sant'egidio in Rome, saying that the talks had taken long in Rome's hands without resolution.