South Sudan Civil Society Welcomes Resumption of Tumaini Peace Talks Following Ruto’s Visit

In an encouraging development for South Sudan’s political landscape, Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), praised the recent visit of Kenyan President William Ruto and the ensuing dialogue on the Tumaini Peace Initiative. The discussions with South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir mark a significant step towards re-engaging in long-awaited peace negotiations.

Yakani expressed optimism about the consensus reached during the visit, stating, “We have seen messages coming out that they have reached consensus that the Tumaini Peace process will continue with effective participation of IGAD.” He highlighted that the Tumaini initiative is not meant to undermine existing political frameworks, but rather to establish a solid ground for the elections scheduled for December 2026.

“This is a long-waited advocacy,” Yakani stated, emphasizing the importance of dialogue. He urged both leaders to resume talks promptly, asserting, “We as a civil society appreciate this, and it’s good that now we’re going to resume Tumaini peace talks as we have been calling for a long period of time.”

However, Yakani also warned against any potential delays or disruptions to the peace process, saying, “We should not give a space to spoilers of a successful and genuine political transitional process in South Sudan.” He lamented the lost time, noting, “By now we could have finished Tumaini and could have been in interparty dialogue where we reached a genuine and practical implementation matrix for transitioning the country from violence to peace.”

In further comments, he called for unity among opposition parties, particularly those who did not sign the revitalized peace agreement. “We are calling for opening up political and civic space so that we can interact fruitfully,” he urged, emphasizing the need for a collaborative approach among all political factions.

As the talks progressed, both leaders expressed optimism regarding the swift resolution of remaining issues surrounding the Tumaini Initiative, a plan aimed at fostering harmony and collaboration among East African nations. In a joint press conference following the meeting, President Kiir emphasized the importance of collective efforts in addressing regional challenges, stating, “We must work together to create a stable and prosperous environment for our people.”

President Ruto echoed Kiir’s sentiments, highlighting the vital role of infrastructure development in bolstering economic ties. “The road project connecting Nadapal to Nakodok is not just an infrastructure endeavor; it symbolizes our commitment to deepening trade relationships, enhancing communication, and fostering collaborative growth,” he remarked.

The two leaders also touched upon the significance of engaging local communities in these initiatives, assuring that the implementation of the Tumaini Initiative would involve grassroots participation to ensure sustainability and inclusivity.

Further discussions included strategies to counter security threats in the region, with both presidents vowing to enhance cooperation in intelligence sharing and border security measures. Dr. Juma noted that the meeting’s outcomes were a testament to the shared vision of both nations to create a peaceful and secure environment conducive to economic growth and social development.

As the mediation team prepares to resume its deliberations, observers remain hopeful that the resolve demonstrated by Presidents Kiir and Ruto will lead to a swift and effective resolution of outstanding issues, paving the way for a brighter future for the people of South Sudan and Kenya. Both nations have pledged to keep the dialogue open, with follow-up meetings scheduled to track progress and make necessary adjustments to ensure the initiative’s success.

Ultimately, the outcomes of this meeting signify a robust commitment to regional solidarity and highlight the potential for South Sudan and Kenya to leverage their partnership in addressing broader continental challenges.

As the Tumaini peace talks gain momentum, CEPO plans to roll out national transitional dialogues to mobilize citizen support for the expected elections, aiming for a smooth transition to peace. “Our goal is to create good enough conditions for the conduct of the elections in December 2026,” Yakani concluded.

The visit from President Ruto and the advancing discussions represent a crucial opportunity for South Sudan as it strives towards stability and democratic governance.