Rédaction Africa Links 24 with umajulius
Published on 2024-03-10 08:50:07
On March 9, 2024, South Sudan President Salva Kiir demonstrated a commitment to peaceful resolution of political differences by granting negotiating powers to a team tasked with engaging the hold-out opposition group. The move signifies a willingness to engage in dialogue in order to maintain unity, territorial integrity, sovereignty, and social harmony within the country.
In a statement released by the president’s office and broadcast on state-owned television channel SSBC, Kiir emphasized his dedication to resolving political disputes through peaceful means. The head of the government negotiation committee, Albino Mathom Ayuel, further elaborated on the ongoing pre-negotiation discussions with the hold-out groups, exchanging views and proposals through a mediation team.
Ayuel stated that while formal negotiations have not commenced, his team is currently engaged in talks with the hold-out groups, with the guidance and support of President Kiir. The president’s commitment to peaceful dialogue has been a cornerstone of maintaining peace within the country, and empowering the negotiation team is a positive step towards a peaceful resolution.
Recent developments have seen the government peace committee preparing for negotiations with the hold-out groups in Nairobi, Kenya. This follows a decision by Kiir to shift the talks to Kenya in December 2023, without prior notification to the rival sides and the mediation team. Despite initial complications, President Ruto of Kenya has expressed readiness to cooperate with the Catholic Church and former mediators to facilitate the negotiation process.
The hold-out group, composed of various factions including the South Sudan United Front (SSUF), Real-Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (Real-SPLM), National Salvation Front (NAS), National Democratic Movement-Patriotic Front (NDM-PF), and South Sudan National Movement for Change/Army (SSNMC/A), has accepted Kenya’s mediation and affirmed their commitment to peaceful means.
While some members of the South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance (SSOMA) have expressed reservations about Kenya as the mediator, the focus remains on finding peaceful solutions to the ongoing political challenges in the country. The parties were expected to resume negotiations in Rome in May 2023, following a temporary halt by the government citing concerns over the rival side’s intentions.
Despite tensions and accusations from both sides, the government peace committee reiterated the commitment of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity to implement the September 2018 peace agreement and move the country forward. Kiir’s decision to empower the negotiation team reflects a genuine effort to seek peaceful resolutions to political disputes and uphold the unity and stability of South Sudan.
Read the original article on Sudan Tribune
