Kenya President Ruto to meet South Sudan’s President Kiir on outcome of Tumiami peace initiative

By Adia Jildo
Kenya’s President, William Ruto will meet President Salva Kiir Mayardit to update the president about the Kenya’s role in Tumiani peace initiative formed to mediate between the government of South Sudan and the holdout groups who did not sign the 2018 peace agreement.
William Ruto’s visit comes on the invitation of South Sudan’s President on the latest development about the initiative.
President Ruto was entrusted by South Sudan’s President to lead and guide the Tumiani initiative that brings to table non- signatories to the South Sudan 2018 peace agreement.
Presidential Press Secretary, Lily Martin Manyiel Ayuel during a press briefing in the capital Juba told journalists that the visit will also inform the citizens about the progress made.
“The purpose of the working visit is to inform, compare notes, touch base and update the president on the peace talk. This visit will be important too because it will put to rest impressions out there,” said the presidential press secretary Lily Martin Manyiel Ayuel.
The Tumiani initiative which was previously The Rome Peace talks were led by the by Saint Egidio community but later was shifted to Kenya as a result of failure to reach consensus with parties involved.
Lilly also debunked the rumour that the initiative has failed.
“There is so much impressions out there that the president has aborted and abandoned, that he is not interest in the Tumiani initiative,” she said. “It’s ridiculous, its preposterous and its uncalled for when we say that the president is no longer interested in the Tumiani initiative which is totally uncalled for.”
The president Ruto will update the president Salva Kiir Mayardit about the outcome of the initiative.
A High-Level Standing Committee from South Sudan, led by the minister of Cabinet Affairs Martin Elia Lomuro, met with William Ruto at the state house to convey president Kiir message.
According to the official social media handle of Kenya’s president, the Kenyan government will continue to support the Tumiani initiative that will restore peace and stability in South Sudan.