![South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit (left) greeting opposition leader and former SPLM Secretary-General Pagan Amum at the start of the peace talks in Nairobi, Kenya, on Thursday, April 9th, 2024. [Photo by presidency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/438222681_1502378207056900_7983306847008375683_n.jpg?resize=1907%2C889&ssl=1)
South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit thanked his Kenyan counterpart, William Ruto, for hosting the peace talks and said that his government would negotiate in good faith and with an open mind.
“We hope that the opposition groups have a similar conviction and desire for peace in South Sudan, which, when fully achieved, will bring everlasting stability and economic development in the region, not just South Sudan,” Kiir said.
Representatives of holdout rebel groups also participated in the talks, hosted by Kenyan President William Ruto.
The discussions focus on groups that were not signatories to the 2018 agreement that ended a five-year civil war.
Ruto emphasized the importance of African-led solutions, echoing the African Union’s “Silencing the Guns in Africa” initiative. He expressed hope that the talks would contribute to lasting peace and development in South Sudan and the broader region.
Leaders from Malawi, Zambia, Namibia, and the Central African Republic also attended the launch, demonstrating regional support for the peace process.
U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Mike Hammer welcomed the talks, praising Kenya’s commitment to regional stability.
The chief mediator, Lazarus Sumbeiywo, expressed confidence in achieving a comprehensive resolution if all parties engage constructively.
South Sudan remains fragile despite the 2018 deal, which is not fully implemented. Key issues, including a unified national security force, need to be addressed before December elections can take place.
The opposition continues to push for a swift implementation of the agreement to ensure free and fair polls.
