President Ruto Heads to South Sudan for Peace Talks Update
Date: Wednesday, November 6, 2024
Purpose of Visit:
Kenyan President William Ruto will travel to South Sudan to meet President Salva Kiir. The main agenda is to update Kiir on the progress of the Tumaini Peace Initiative, a peace process aimed at resolving South Sudan’s ongoing conflict. President Ruto has been actively leading this initiative to bring stability to the region.
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Key Points of the Visit
- Briefing on Tumaini Peace Initiative
Ruto will inform Kiir on the latest developments and progress made through the initiative, a peace effort designed to mediate South Sudan’s internal conflicts. - Reassurance and Clarification
South Sudan’s Presidential Press Secretary, Lily Martin Manyiel Ayuel, explained that Ruto’s visit will address concerns and clarify any doubts about Kenya’s continued commitment to the initiative. Recent rumors suggested Ruto’s disinterest in the peace process, which the visit aims to refute.
About the Tumaini Peace Initiative
Launched on May 9, 2024, in Nairobi, the Tumaini Peace Initiative seeks to mediate South Sudan’s internal conflicts by involving holdout groups that didn’t sign the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict (R-ARCSS). Here’s a closer look at its goals and structure:
- Inclusion of Holdout Groups:
Ensuring that all parties, including those who haven’t agreed to the 2018 peace deal, have a voice in the peace process. - Interim Government and Reforms:
Proposing a temporary government to oversee justice reforms and establish a unified national military. - Pan-African Approach:
Ruto emphasized that the initiative reflects the “African solutions to African challenges” philosophy, supporting the Silencing the Guns in Africa campaign aimed at ending conflicts on the continent.
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Background on Kenya’s Mediation Role
In December 2023, President Kiir formally asked Ruto to lead the peace talks, shifting from the Community of Sant’Egidio, which had been hosting the negotiations in Rome. Kiir felt that progress had stalled and sought Kenya’s involvement to refocus efforts on reaching a more inclusive peace agreement.
This meeting between Ruto and Kiir signals a strong commitment to regional peace and is a key moment in the ongoing efforts to stabilize South Sudan for long-term growth and unity.
