The Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region, Charles Keter (left) handing over a message from President William Ruto to President Salva Kiir Mayardit (right) in his office in Juba on Monday, 30th December 2024.
From Adia Jildo, in Juba
South Sudan’s President, Salava Kiir Mayardit has received a special message from his Kenya counterpart, President William Ruto ahead of the resupmtion of the Kenya-led Tumiani Peace Talks.
Led by its Special Envoy for the Great Lakes region, Charles Keter, the team said the visit is aimed at fostering talks between government and the holdout groups who are non-signatories to the peace agreement.
According to a post by the office of the President, the delegation met with President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Monday.
“The Kenyan delegation’s visit comes at a critical moment as Kenya intensifies efforts to encourage the South Sudanese Government and opposition holdout groups to prioritize peace for the well-being of the country,” read the post.
Kenya is currently mediating peace talks bwteen the government of South Sudan and non-signatories to the 2018 peace agreement, supporting South Sudan’s journey toward stability.
South Sudan’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Ramadan Mohamed Abdallah Goc, expressed gratitute for Kenya’s effort in the talks, acknowledging its crucial role in promoting unity and durable peace among South Sudanese.
The Head of the delegation, Charles Keter, reassured his country’s commitment to facilitating dialogue between the South Sudanese Government and opposition holdout groups through the Nairobi Tumaini Initiative.
The Tumaini Initiative is aimed at fostering consensus and advancing the ongoing peace process in South Sudan, with the ultimate goal of ensuring long-term peace and stability in the region as the country prepares for its scheduled elections.
The Tumiani peace talks was launched by president Salva kiir Mayardit in May to enagege non-signatories to the 2018 peace agreement.
The talk stalled after some represenatives were relieved and a new delegation was sent to head the talks.
The talk has since been haulted due to undisclosed reasons by government and parties.
