Who is negotiating with the government at Nairobi talks?

JUBA – Negotiations between South Sudan’s unity government and non-signatory groups to the revitalized peace agreement commenced Thursday in Nairobi, Kenya. Facilitated by Kenya, the talks aim to integrate opposition factions not initially party to the revitalized peace agreement.

Identifying the participating opposition groups illuminates the complexity of the conflict. Since its eruption in December 2013, various factions, including splinters from the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) led by President Salva Kiir, have emerged.

In September 2018, after five years of ethnically driven strife, President Kiir and several factions, including the SPLM-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO) under now First Vice President Riek Machar, signed a revised peace agreement known as Revitalized Agreement for Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan or (R-ARCISS).

However, some groups initially engaged in talks felt sidelined by Sudan’s then-President Omar el Bashir and IGAD, and subsequently withdrew. These groups include the National Salvation Front (NAS) led by General Thomas Cirilo Swaka and smaller factions of the South Sudan National Movement for Change (SSNMC).

The ongoing negotiations in Nairobi involve the government and approximately eight distinct organizations aligned in various alliances. Four civil society organizations, including representatives from women and youth groups, are also participating, alongside individual political entities.

Among the principal alliances are the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA), and the newly formed South Sudan United National Alliance (SSUNA).

SSOMA, helmed by General Pagan Amum and General Paul Malong Awan, includes the Real-SPLM led by Pagan, and the South Sudan United Front (SSUF) led by Malong. The other SSOMA faction, led by General Thomas Cirilo Swaka, encompasses NAS, National Democratic Movement – Patriotic Front (NDM-PF) led by Emmanuel Ajawin, and South Sudan National Movement for Change (SSNMC) led by Alex Lokadi.

While Pagan and Malong’s faction engages in the Nairobi talks, Cirilo’s faction abstains, citing doubts about the viability of reaching an agreement with the government, referencing previous failed negotiations in Rome from 2019 to 2023.

SSUNA, led by General Stephen Buay Rolnyang, comprising various groups such as the South Sudan People’s Movement (SSPM) led by Buay himself, United Democratic Revolutionary Movement (UDRM) led by Deng Vanang, National People’s Movement (NPM) led by Matur Goriok, SSUF-Progressive faction led by Emmanuel Sunday De John, and Upper Nile Liberation Front (UNLF) led by Henry Oyai Ayago.

The mediation initially invited groups individually but later permitted smaller organizations to participate within larger alliances. For instance, SSPM initially invited individually, later represented smaller factions under the SSUNA bloc. SSPM is represented by four people including its leader Buay, but the smaller organizations integrated under the SSPM-led SSUNA are represented by one person each.

Additionally, a breakaway faction of NAS, known as NAS Revolutionary Council (NAS-RCC) led by Ladu Stephen Lukaja, participates independently in the talks.

Amidst the participation of civil society and faith-based groups, leadership clarity remains elusive.

Notable attendees include Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), Abraham Awolich, and Rajab Mohandis, leaders of the People’s Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA), along with representatives from youth and women groups.

Internal disagreements within these groups led the mediation to grant observer status to all civil society representatives.

The next session, which takes place today, expects attendance from academia and faith-based organizations, commencing with presentations from negotiation team leaders.

Notably absent from the talks are NAS, NDM-PF, SSNMC, and the SPLM-IO Kitgwang faction led by General Simon Gatwech Dual, who allegedly declined an invitation in mid-April. Sudans Post cannot independently verify the claim that Gatwech was invited.

The Patriots’ Resistance Movement (PRM), a splinter group from SPLM-IO Kitgwang faction, led by Gen. Laraka Machar Turoal, also did not receive an invitation, despite seeking participation under the SSOMA.