Gov’t delegation to leave for Nairobi on Jan 18 for talks-Juuk

JUBA-Government chief negotiator for the Tumaini peace talks, Kuol Manyang Juuk said the government delegation is expected to return to Nairobi on January 18 to kick start the next round of the talks.

The chief mediator made this revelation during his meeting with Norwegian ambassador to Juba, Mr. Roar Haugsdal in Juba on Wednesday.

The meeting discussed progress on Tumaini peace talks, necessity of R-ARCSS implementation and elections preparations.

“We talk about the progress of the Tumaini peace agreement and we will be going to Nairobi on the 18 of this month to continue the peace talks and we hope that we will reach an agreement,” Juuk told SSBC Wednesday.

Mr. Juuk, who serves as a senior presidential advisor and the newly appointed chairperson of the National Transitional Committee (NTC), urged holdout groups to join the peace wagon.

“What we need is to get our brothers and sisters who are out there to join us, to come to the country so that we come and build the country together. There are many rooms in South Sudan where the person or anybody can fit in and start to contribute to nation building,” he emphasized.

Regarding election preparation, he said arrangements are ongoing to ensure a favorable environment for peaceful, fair and credible elections at the end of 2026.

He further noted that doors are open for those who would love to monitor the general polls.

“Arrangement is taking place, and I am sure also that we will make sure that we conduct elections that will be peaceful and will be monitored by anybody that is interested to come and monitor but will be peaceful,” he stressed.

On the other hand, Norwegian ambassador to South Sudan, Mr. Roar Haugsdal said “Today I met with presidential advisor Kuol Manyang.”

He also called on the opposition group to show patriotism and put the interest of the country first.

“We discussed Tumaini peace talks in Nairobi Norwegian strongly supports and also the necessity to implement the R-ARCESS peace agreement. We highlight the importance of holding the elections and making necessary preparations,” he added.