High-level mediation talks on South Sudan began Thursday in Kenya, with African presidents calling for an end to the conflict that has crippled the country’s economy for years.
South Sudanese President Salva Kiir thanked Kenyan President William Ruto for hosting the talks and said his government would negotiate in good faith and with generosity.
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“We know that the rebels have similar beliefs and aspirations for peace in South Sudan, which, if fully achieved, will bring eternal stability and economic development not only to South Sudan but to the region. I hope so,” he said.
The talks are between the government and rebel groups and were not included in the 2018 deal that ended a five-year civil war that killed 400,000 people.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit (left) speaks with Real-SPLM group leader Pagan Ammu Okiechi as South Sudan’s high-level peace talks begin at Parliament House in Nairobi, Kenya, on Thursday, May 9. Shake hands with Mr. 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)
Ruto on Thursday reiterated the need for comprehensive and homegrown solutions to Africa’s problems.
“This initiative embodies the Pan-African policy of solving African challenges in Africa, contributing to the effort to ‘silence Africa’s guns’ and transforming South Sudan, our region and the continent as a whole. “It fosters an environment for economic development,” he said. .
Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera, Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema, Namibia’s Nangolo Mbumba and Central African Republic’s Faustin Alchange Touadera also attended a presentation following the African Union Agriculture Summit earlier in the day. did.
US special envoy for the Horn of Africa Mike Hammer welcomed the talks.
“The United States commends Kenya’s commitment to regional stability and peace support in South Sudan,” the U.S. Embassy in Kenya wrote to X after the launch.
Lazarus Sumbeiwo, the chief mediator of South Sudan’s peace process, expressed confidence that the talks would resolve outstanding issues.
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He said: “Following this commencement, we plan to engage in sustained and ongoing mediation to ensure a prompt and comprehensive resolution of the matter, provided the parties follow the plan.”
Despite the 2018 peace agreement, South Sudan remains fragile and has not yet been fully implemented. The country is due to hold elections in December, but key issues such as the creation of a unified security force remain to be resolved. Opposition parties are calling for swift implementation of the agreement to pave the way for free and fair elections.
