CEPO Applauds Government Delegation’s Arrival in Nairobi for Tumaini Initiative Mediation

The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) has expressed its appreciation for the arrival of a government delegation in Nairobi to resume the crucial mediation talks of the Tumaini initiative. This move has been hailed as a positive response to calls for the government to exhibit responsibility and engage earnestly in a genuine political transitional process for South Sudan.

Mr. Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of CEPO, emphasized that the government delegation now confronts significant political tests crucial to establishing a successful and implementable framework through the Tumaini consensus approach. “The ultimate expectation of citizens is the signing of the Tumaini consensus document, which should provide a concrete, functional, and operational implementation matrix. It must prioritize creating suitable conditions for conducting national general elections,” he stated.

Yakani underscored the importance of diplomatic language during the negotiations, urging both the government delegation and the opposition team to refrain from using terms that could escalate tensions, such as “renegotiation,” “replacement,” or “regime change.” He believes that a rigid political attitude and an unwillingness to compromise could significantly hinder progress toward a successful resolution of the Tumaini Peace process.

“The overwhelming priority is to approach these negotiations with a spirit of collaboration and understanding. The two-week timeframe set for finalizing the Tumaini initiative will be achievable only if both parties cease fostering negative attitudes towards each other,” Mr. Yakani stressed.

With the clock ticking on the two-week deadline for completing the Tumaini initiative, CEPO remains hopeful that the political leaders can rise to the occasion and fulfill their responsibilities in facilitating a genuine political transition. This transition, according to Yakani, is essential for transforming the current prevailing violence into a lasting peace in South Sudan.

CEPO continues to urge all involved parties to prioritize dialogue and act decisively to create an environment conducive to peace and stability for the citizens of South Sudan. The organization’s commitment to fostering a peaceful transition remains steadfast as negotiations progress in Nairobi.