Government and Opposition Stakeholders Begin Critical Dialogue on Peace Protocols
The Tumaini Peace Initiative convened three consultative meetings this week, bringing together government officials, opposition leaders, and civil society stakeholders to discuss the Tumaini Consensus Protocols.
The series of meetings kicked off with a session between the government delegation and various stakeholders. In this session, government representatives expressed their apprehensions regarding the Protocols, maintaining that many of the proposed provisions overlapped with existing agreements established in the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). Key points raised included concerns over the introduction of structures such as the National Leadership Council and the National Implementation and Oversight Commission, which could conflict with the established framework of the R-ARCSS. The government officials reiterated that the R-ARCSS should serve as the foundational agreement for any ongoing negotiations.
Following the government’s observations, the opposition representatives convened in a separate meeting to voice their perspectives. They expressed satisfaction with the finalized Protocols, deeming them a solid foundation for a new peace framework. The opposition stressed the importance of finalizing remaining negotiations and underscored the urgency of signing the comprehensive agreement within the two-week timeline set forth in the joint communiqué issued in Juba on November 6, 2024.
Throughout the discussions, stakeholders attentive to concerns raised provided brief responses and requested additional time for a more in-depth analysis. They requested the mediation team to schedule further meetings to focus on substantive feedback and recommendations regarding the presented concerns.
The final consultative meeting was dedicated to discussions between the mediation team and stakeholders, where various insights on the Tumaini process were shared. Stakeholders expressed their commitment to prepare informed feedback to facilitate progress.
Looking ahead, the mediation team is set to provide guidance on the day’s proceedings, as stakeholders gear up to finalize their positions regarding the two opposing parties. Additionally, a roundtable discussion is scheduled at the Miraya FM satellite studio at the venue, featuring representatives from the mediation team alongside delegates from the Regional Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU), the opposition, and civil society stakeholders.
As the Tumaini Peace Initiative continues, the involved parties remain focused on establishing a pathway toward lasting peace in South Sudan.
