The government of South Sudan and rebel opposition factions have convened to formalise a “commitment declaration” during high-level mediation discussions in Kenya.
This agreement marks a key moment in the ongoing endeavours to resolve the protracted conflict in South Sudan, which has inflicted severe economic hardships on the nation.
While the specifics of the agreement were not disclosed during the signing ceremony, which was attended by diplomats and civil society representatives, its symbolism resonated profoundly.
Notably, the rebel opposition factions were not signatories to the 2018 accord that brought an end to South Sudan’s harrowing five-year civil war, claiming the lives of 400,000 individuals and displacing millions.
In a statement, Kenya’s foreign office hailed the agreement as an initial breakthrough in the ongoing negotiations, wherein the warring factions reaffirmed their commitment to the cessation of hostilities.
Commencing the high-level mediation talks initiated a week prior, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir expressed gratitude to his Kenyan counterpart, William Ruto, for extending hospitality and facilitating the discussions.
Dubbed the Tumaini Initiative, meaning “hope” in Swahili, the talks are steered by former Kenyan army commander Lazarus Sumbeiywo.
Despite preparations for elections scheduled for December, South Sudan grapples with political fragility, exacerbated by the incomplete implementation of the 2018 peace accord and persistent conflicts fuelled by ethnic and political divides across the nation.