Civil society urges Kiir to name new head for gov’t delegation to Nairobi talks

JUBA – South Sudanese civil society groups have raised concerns over the vacant leadership position in the Kenya-led Tumaini (“Hope”) peace initiative, calling on President Salva Kiir Mayardit to appoint a leader for the government delegation to the talks.

Kiir last week dismissed his special envoy, who had served as the government’s head of delegation to the Kenya-led peace talks, leaving the role unfilled as the mediation team announced the resumption of negotiations.

In separate statements to Sudans Post, the Centre for Peace and Advocacy (CPA) and the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) said the lack of leadership has cast doubt on the initiative’s effectiveness and ability to achieve its goals.

“Civil society organizations play a crucial role in advocating for accountability and transparency in governance. We urge the president to take swift action to appoint a new chairperson,” Ter Manyang Gatwech, Executive Director of CPA, said in his organization’s statement to Sudans Post.

Meanwhile, Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of CEPO, warned that some parties involved in the Tumaini Initiative have already taken hardline positions ahead of the next round of mediation, set to begin on November 11 and continue for two weeks.

“Opening the Tumaini Initiative for renegotiation of the nine protocols would be a grave mistake and could lead to the initiative’s failure or extend the process beyond the two-week deadline,” Yakani said.

CEPO called on all parties to enter the upcoming mediation phase with a spirit of compromise and a commitment to finding mutually beneficial solutions. Yakani expressed concern over recent political statements from officials, which he said indicated a reluctance to compromise.

“A shift in political attitudes to enable genuine political transition is urgently needed from political leaders and parties,” Yakani emphasized.

CEPO also urged President Kiir to promptly appoint a new leader for the government’s team in the Tumaini Initiative, stressing the importance of selecting someone aligned with the initiative’s objectives.