South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to South Sudan’s 2018 peace agreement, saying that the Kenya-led Tumaini Peace Initiative is designed to complement the existing deal.
The Kenya-led Tumaini Initiative, which began on May 9, suffered a setback in July when some parties raised concerns over specific mechanisms.
Speaking at the opening of the 8th Governors’ Forum in Juba on Tuesday, President Kiir clarified that the peace initiative with holdout groups seeks to address gaps and ensure inclusivity within the framework of the 2018 agreement.
The South Sudanese leader emphasized the importance of collective efforts in tackling the nation’s challenges, including peacebuilding, economic recovery, and disaster management.
“The Tumaini initiative is not about negotiating a new, parallel peace agreement to replace or undermine the 2018 deal. Its goal is to bridge gaps and address concerns, ensuring inclusivity within the existing framework,” Kiir stated. “Creating a new agreement would contradict the principle of inclusivity and risk plunging us back into conflict.”
Elections and peace efforts
The president also reminded political leaders of the critical need to prepare for the 2026 elections as part of the extended transitional period. “Twenty-four months is not a long time. If you are not prepared to contest, now is the time to start preparing,” Kiir said.
He further highlighted the government’s restructuring of its peace delegation to expedite negotiations under the Tumaini Initiative, which are expected to resume in Nairobi, Kenya.
Flood response
President Kiir also addressed the severe flooding that has affected nearly every state and administrative areas in South Sudan, displacing thousands and causing significant loss of lives and property. He called for a unified response from government agencies and urged international partners to provide support.
“I urge the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management to coordinate with governors and mobilize resources to assist flood-affected areas,” he said.
Kiir encouraged state governors to focus on strengthening local economies, creating job opportunities for youth, and prioritizing agriculture. “State governments must find innovative ways to attract investment and support food security. Partnerships between farmers and investors are crucial to our economic recovery,” he stated.
In his concluding remarks, President Kiir urged political leaders to work together to achieve lasting peace and stability across South Sudan and thanked the UNDP and other partners for their support.
“Your presence here today reflects our shared responsibility to build a peaceful and resilient nation,” Kiir concluded.
Separately, Central Equatoria State Governor Augustino Jadallah Wani emphasized the forum’s importance as a platform for discussing security and governance issues.
“This forum gives us the opportunity to deliberate on key challenges and ensure we fulfill the people’s expectations for peace and prosperity,” Wani said. The forum will continue with discussions aimed at crafting actionable resolutions to address South Sudan’s most pressing challenges.