The Civil Society of Kenya has expressed solidarity with the Tumaini Initiative for Peace in South Sudan.
The group that met at the Ufungamano Hall in Nairobi on Monday said they welcomed the Initiative as a peaceful political process to restore hope, peace and stability in South Sudan.
“We commend the leadership of Gen Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan for initiating this peace process and the South Sudan Opposition leaders for agreeing to pursue peace through negotiations,” the group said in a press release.
“We applaud Dr William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, for exercising leadership in hosting and facilitating the Tumaini Initiative and call on him to deepen the support for South Sudan’s leaders to reach a peaceful political settlement in the interest of their people and the region.”
The group urged President Ruto to invite the region and the international community to support the Tumaini Initiative to end the conflicts in South Sudan.
It was in Kenya in 2005 where the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that ended the South Sudanese long struggle against Sudan took place. The deal birthed the Republic of South Sudan in 2011.
The Civil Society of Kenya took cognizance of the challenges to the Tumaini Initiative, including decisions of some South Sudanese leaders to withdraw their delegations, while others shunned the process.
“We appeal to all the leaders of South Sudan in their various capacities in government and opposition, to sincerely respond to the needs of their people and make the compromises and sacrifices necessary to achieve sustainable peace,” their statement reads.
The Kenyan civil society groups appealed to Sumbeiywo and the co-mediators from IGAD and the Community of Sant’Egidio in Italy, to remain seized of the process and ensure its inclusivity.
At least 22 organizations, signed the statement of solidarity. They include the Youth in Focus, Kenya, Ushauri Paralegal, the Kangemi Wetlands UHAKI Paralegal Network, the Future of Kenya Foundation and Kayole Community Justice Center.
The Kenya-led peace talks started in Nairobi on May 9 but halted in July after representatives of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by First Vice President Riek Machar walked out.
Machar argued that the protocols signed in Nairobi would undermine the provisions of the 2018 peace deal. Officially known as the Revitalised Agreement, it was signed between President Salva Kiir’s SPLM and SPLM-IO and other political factions.
The negotiations in Nairobi were meant to bring in opposition groups that had stayed away from the 2018 peace deal. The opposition groups include the Real-Sudan People’s Liberation Movement led by Pagan Amum and the South Sudan United Front led by Paul Malong Awan, the former chief of staff of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (UPDF).