Kenya gears up for South Sudan peace talks as gov’t submit list of negotiators

NAIROBI – Preparations are underway in Kenya to host peace talks between the South Sudanese government and opposition holdout groups.

On Saturday, Kenyan President William Ruto received a list of government delegates from President Salva Kiir, delivered by Presidential Special Envoy Amb. Albino Aboug.

However, reports indicate divisions within the South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance (SSOMA), with some members expressing reservations about Nairobi as the negotiating venue.

President Kiir previously moved the talks from Rome, mediated by Saint-Egidio, to Nairobi last year.

Expressing optimism, Kenyan President Ruto commended the progress towards lasting peace in South Sudan.

“Pleased that the Government of South Sudan has agreed on a delegation that will engage the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance in talks to find a solution to the situation in South Sudan,” he wrote on X, previously Twitter, on Saturday.

Ruto confirmed last week that he has reached out to all holdout opposition parties under SSOMA. Since November 2019, SSOMA groups have been engaged in talks with the government in Rome, Italy.

These talks resulted in a ceasefire agreement but failed to achieve a political settlement.