The Tumaini Initiative peace talks mediated by the Government of Kenya in Nairobi between the Transitional Government of South Sudan and holdout opposition groups on Saturday unveiled a new framework for the Tumaini Consensus Protocols and the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) to be complementary.
This comes after the new government delegation and opposition groups failed to agree on a way forward with the latter saying the renewed talks were meant to confirm nine initialed protocols and then move on to discussing responsibility sharing and signing a final agreement. The new government delegation however argued that they had reservations and observations about the initialed protocols and wanted them opened to discussion and also to align with the R-ARCSS to avoid duplication.
According to the new document from the mediators dubbed the Draft Framework for Tumaini Complement to R-ARCSS, the Parties and Stakeholders reiterate and renew their commitment to continue and conclude the ongoing negotiations under the auspices of the Tumaini Initiative (TI) in the spirit of compromise, camaraderie, and togetherness/ unity.
“To this end, the Parties and Stakeholders agree that the Tumaini Consensus Protocols and the R-ARCSS are complementary. In this regard, the Protocols shall reinforce the provisions of the R-ARCSS by filling in the gaps and strengthening implementation mechanisms and institutions so that they are empowered and adequately resourced,” the new framework seen by Radio Tamazuj reads in part. “The Tumaini Complement to R-ARCSS seeks to promote political goodwill in order to create momentum for its timely and effective implementation and to share responsibility through incorporating opposition into RIGONU and incorporating women, youth and persons with special needs in the implementation mechanisms, in line with the principles of inclusivity and diversity.”
“The Parties and Stakeholders agree that there is a need to increase the pace of implementation of R-ARCSS and agree that there shall be established a National High-Level Leadership Council (NHLC) reporting to the Presidency and shall be part of the extended Presidency on matters relating to the implementation of the Agreement,” it added.
According to the new framework, the Parties shall negotiate on the composition, roles and responsibilities, and the Chair and the Vice Chair of the NHLC and the NHLC shall establish a National Implementation and Oversight Commission (NIOC), as a Secretariat, and its Chair shall not be from the same party chairing the NHLC.
“The Parties shall collectively identify any areas of divergence between the Tumaini Protocols and R-ARCSS, with a view to harmonizing their complementarity. Upon signing, the Tumaini Complement to R-ARCSS shall transition to IGAD,” the proposed framework says. “The role of IGAD, the Tumaini Initiative, Sant Egidio and external guarantors and partners shall thereafter be to steward, monitor and oversee the implementation of all measures, processes and activities in the Tumaini Complement to R-ARCSS. They shall strive to provide sustainable regional/international political, diplomatic support, and requisite resources for implementation.”
“The Presidents of the Republics of Kenya and South Sudan shall decide the date for the official signing of a final Agreement,” the proposed framework concluded.