Tumaini Peace Initiative, which was launched on May 9, 2024, in the Kenyan Capital Nairobi, is a high-level mediation seeking everlasting tranquility for the conflict in South Sudan by incorporating all the holdout groups that have not signed the 2018 R-ARCSS (Revitalised Agreement on Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan). Kenyan President William Ruto, South Sudan President Salva Kiir, and former Kenyan Army Commander and Chief Mediator Major-Gen Lazarus Sumbeiywo are the lead initiative mediators.[1][2][3][4]
During the Launching of the Tumaini Peace Initiative event, Tumaini which means 'hope' in Swahili, Six heads of State and high-ranking diplomats and officials from different countries in Africa graced the event in what seemed to be the final attempt to end the decade-long South Sudan armed conflict.[5][6]
On May 16, 2024, after days of serious formal discussion on conflict resolution, all the parties that participated in the initiative signed a "Declaration of Commitment", pledging their willingness to renounce any sort of violence. Some of the optimists in the initiative described it as a "renewed hope" others are skeptical of its ability to substantially change the shape of the local tribal conflict in South Sudan.[7]
| Names | Parties |
|---|---|
| Hon. Amb. Albino Mathom Aboug - Head of Delegation. | Revitalized-Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU). |
| Gen. Paul Malong Awan - South Sudan United Front and Gen. Pagan Amum Okiech - Real-SPLM | South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance(SSOMA). |
| Gen. Stephen Buoy Rolnyang - South Sudan People's Movement/Army. | South Sudan United National Alliance(SSUNA). |
| Gen. Mario Loku Thomas Jada | National Salvation Front - Revolutionary Command Council. |
| Dr. Ayak Chol Deng - Representative of Civil Society forum and Abraham Akech - Representative of People's Coalition for Civil Action. | Stakeholder Representatives. |
| Lt.Gen. Lazarus Sumbeiywo, Amb. Dr. Mohamed Ali Guyo, Amb. Ismail Wais and Tobias Mueller. | Mediators. |
| Dr. A. korir SingOei - Principal Secretary, State Department of Foreign Affairs, Kenya. | Host Government - on behalf of Lead Mediator. |
Professor Jan Pospisil of Coventry University describes the initiative as an outlet for the South Sudan government to attract international support for the upcoming election. Jean-Pierre Lacroix the UN Undersecretary General for Peace and Operations indicated that many issues including the high unemployment rate, conflict between communities, political rivalry, and flow of refugees and returnees into South Sudan could hinder South Sudan's upcoming election. Lacroix warned that another war could break out during the election in an already unstable country if not handled carefully.[8]
The faith leaders of East Africa, Inter-Religious Council expressed encouraged South Sudanese parties participating in the initiative to seize the Tumaini Peace Initiative as an opportunity to bring every lasting peace to their young nation and put an end to the recurring violence and political disagreement.[9]
- ^ "Renewed hope as Kenya-led South Sudan talks start". The East African. 2024-05-11. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ "South Sudan peace talks in Nairobi facilitate key discussions [6:05]". Voice of America. 2024-06-10. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ Pospisil, Ibrahim Sakawa Magara and Jan (2024-05-27). "Overloaded? Hope and Scepticism around the Tumaini Peace Initiative for South Sudan". African Arguments. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ Modachi, Okumu. "Boost as parties in South Sudan peace process commit to end war". The Standard. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ "South Sudan government, rebel groups sign pact to achieve lasting peace". The East African. 2024-05-17. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ AfricaNews (2024-05-17). "South Sudan government and rebel groups sign 'commitment' for peace in ongoing peace talks in Kenya". Africanews. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ "South Sudan government and rebel groups sign 'commitment' for peace in ongoing peace talks in Kenya". AP News. 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ K, Lekshmi (2024-05-28). "'Tumaini' Peace Talks in Progress: Renewed Hopes On The Horizon?". The Organization for World Peace. Retrieved 2024-07-13.
- ^ "Tumaini Initiative: East Africa faith leaders tell S. Sudan to seize peace opportunity". The Radio Community. 2024-06-28. Retrieved 2024-07-13.