South Sudan rebel leader Thomas Cirilo casts doubt on Nairobi peace talks

JUBA – South Sudan rebel leader General Thomas Cirilo Swaka has cast doubt on the ability of ongoing peace talks in Nairobi to bring lasting peace to the war-torn nation.

Cirilo, who heads the National Salvation Front (NAS), is one of several rebel leaders who refused to sign the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).

He argues that the R-ARCSS, which formed the basis for the current transitional government, fails to address the root causes of the conflict which has killed nearly half a million people, according to 2018 estimates, and displaced millions to internal camps and neighboring countries.

Talks between Cirilo’s group and the government in Italy collapsed in 2023 due to lack of progress.

In May 2024, Kenya launched a new initiative, the “Tumaini Initiative,” aimed at bringing non-signatories of the R-ARCSS, such as Cirilo, into the peace process. Cirilo, however, declined citing failure of the previous Rome peace talks.

In a statement released on the occasion of South Sudan’s 13^th independence anniversary, Cirilo criticized the government of President Salva Kiir Mayardit for the country’s economic crisis and insecurity. He called for a change in leadership and urged citizens to take action.

“However, we cannot, as a nation and people, continue on the path of destruction caused by the current ruling regime in South Sudan,” Cirilo said. “The regime’s failed policies have led to a political, economic, and social collapse in South Sudan. I urge all South Sudanese to stand up and struggle for a change that empowers the citizens to decide their destiny.”

Critically, Cirilo expressed skepticism about the Nairobi talks, arguing that their reliance on the R-ARCSS framework hinders a sustainable solution.

“NAS believes that the peace talks in Nairobi will not bring sustainable peace by insisting on the failed R-ARCSS as the framework of the negotiations without addressing the root cause of the conflict in South Sudan,” he said.

Instead, Cirilo reiterated his call for a roundtable conference involving all stakeholders to foster dialogue and collaboration towards a lasting peace.

“NAS and like-minded opposition groups call for a roundtable conference to address the conflict in South Sudan, fostering open dialogue and collaboration for lasting solutions and a peaceful future,” he added.