Gen. Kuol Manyang Juuk, the newly appointed head of the government delegation for the Tumaini Peace Initiative, expressed optimism for peace as he prepares to travel to Nairobi for talks with holdout opposition groups on Thursday.
In an exclusive interview with Radio Tamazuj, Gen. Kuol, a former critic of the Tumaini talks, revealed that he had reconsidered his initial stance in response to public opinion, embracing peace as the only viable option. He stated that he was now ready to engage in talks with an open heart.
“Everyone has the right to express their opinion. My initial criticism of Tumaini was my personal right, but opinions can change. When the majority speaks, I listen, because I believe the majority is right. Now, I have come to see that the path to peace is the right one, and I am moving forward with an open heart to bring our people back home,” Gen. Kuol said.
Gen. Kuol, who is also a senior presidential advisor, emphasized that while his delegation would not renegotiate the Tumaini protocols that had already been agreed upon, they would seek adjustments in areas that contradict the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
“Following the first round of Tumaini talks, a team from the opposition and our delegation met and agreed on several points. However, before finalizing these agreements, they should have consulted with the appointing authority to ensure their alignment,” he said.
“When the government team returned with the initialed documents, it was clear that they contradicted the R-ARCSS, which serves as the legal foundation of this government. As a result, a new team was formed, which I now lead, to meet with our brothers on the other side,” he added.
Gen. Kuol clarified that the upcoming discussions would not involve starting from scratch, but rather refining the existing protocols to ensure they complement the R-ARCSS.
“We are not renegotiating; we are making necessary adjustments to the points that were agreed upon earlier. Tumaini should not be seen as a parallel agreement to the R-ARCSS. Instead, it should be seen as an addition—something to enhance the R-ARCSS, with the goal of enriching it, not replacing it.”
The head of the government delegation confirmed that preparations for the resumption of talks were on track. “Some members of my delegation will travel to Nairobi on Wednesday, and I will depart on Thursday. The rest of the delegation will follow shortly thereafter. Our budget has been approved by the presidency, and the talks will begin in the coming days.”
Gen. Kuol called on the South Sudanese people to remain hopeful, emphasizing that a solution to the country’s long-running conflict is within reach.
“We have suffered since 2013. Every conflict has a solution. We are going into these talks with determination and the belief that peace is possible. We believe the other side also wants peace, because our people are suffering. Personally, I joined the movement [liberation struggle] not to be a ruler, but to ensure that our people are free.”
He continued, “We are not going into these talks with the mindset of preserving our positions of power, but to create space for others. I believe my brothers in the opposition share the same vision. We must bring peace so that we can build and develop our country. South Sudan is rich in resources—fertile land, water, and sunshine. What we lack is the human element to transform these resources into food and prosperity for all.”
About Tumaini Initiative
Tumaini Initiative was launched on May 9, 2024, in Nairobi.
It is a high-level mediation for the conflict in South Sudan by incorporating all the holdout groups that have not signed the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan.
President Ruto and former Kenyan Army Commander and Chief Mediator Major-Gen Lazarus Sumbeiywo are the lead initiative mediators.
In December 2023, South Sudan’s President Kiir requested President Ruto to take over the mediation lead from the Community of Sant’Egidio in Rome, Italy, saying that the talks with the opposition group had taken long without reaching a solution.
The Kenya-led peace talks halted in July after some government representatives raised concerns over some peace mechanisms adopted in the negotiations.
The holdout groups participating in the Kenya-led Tumaini Initiative peace process include the Real-Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, led by Pagan Amum; the South Sudan United Front, led by Paul Malong Awan, the former chief of staff of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF); and the South Sudan People’s Movement/Army (SSPM/A), led by Gen. Stephen Buoy Rolnyang.