Tumaini Initiative at a crossroads, warns activist

Ter Manyang, the Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA). (File photo)

A South Sudanese civil society activist has warned that the Kenyan-mediated Tumaini Peace Initiative between the transitional government and holdout opposition groups is at a critical juncture after the resumption of the talks stalled on Monday when the government delegation was a no-show.

In an interview with Radio Tamazuj, Ter Manyang, the Executive Director of the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), expressed concern about the stuck negotiations and conflicting statements from the parties involved.

“The Kenyan-led mediation, once seen as a beacon of hope, is now mired in uncertainty. As civil society members, we welcomed the resumption of the Tumaini talks because they represent the only path forward for all stakeholders, including Generals like Thomas Cirillo and Gatwec Dual, to come to the table,” he explained. “However, citizens are left wondering about the fate of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). Despite its extension, there is still no clear timeline for the implementation of key activities, leaving many questions unanswered in the country.”

Manyang continued: “We are hopeful that Tumaini will yield positive outcomes, as we are weary of ongoing conflicts in this country and it is crucial that both the government and the opposition take this initiative seriously.”

According to the activist, there are invisible individuals within the government who are obstructing the Tumaini Initiative out of fear of losing their positions.

“Of course, some roles are expected to be relinquished to allow the holdout opposition a voice in the decision-making processes,” he stated.

Manyang cautioned that if the Tumaini Initiative is mishandled, the country risks becoming a “forgotten crisis.”

“Tumaini symbolizes hope, but it is now being stalled. Prolonged delays will foster frustration among citizens, potentially escalating tensions,” he warned. “Furthermore, South Sudan may fall off the global stage if we are not careful, especially as the world shifts its focus to crises in the Middle East and Ukraine.”

He reminded the country’s leadership that a frustrated international community could impose targeted sanctions and an arms embargo, which would be detrimental to South Sudan’s future.