Nairobi—Paul Malong Awan, the former Chief of General Staff of South Sudan, and Pagan Amum, another key opposition figure, hosted a government delegation in Nairobi as part of peace efforts under the Tumaini consensus protocols, according to a statement posted by the SSUF/A on Saturday. The visit, which took place at Malong’s residence, marks a significant step toward rebuilding trust between the government and opposition groups.
South Sudan’s Minister of Information and Government Rapporteur to the peace talks, Michael Makuei Lueth, emphasized that trust and confidence are essential to resolving conflicts and disputes among the people. He highlighted that the process of trust-building with the opposition will continue and is expected to progress until it reaches Juba, the nation’s capital.
Minister Lueth expressed optimism that the Tumaini peace initiative will pave the way for improved service delivery across the nation. Meanwhile, Pagan Amum Okiech, the leader of the holdout opposition groups, urged all parties involved in the Tumaini process to move beyond past grievances and focus on alleviating the suffering of the South Sudanese people. He described the Tumaini initiative as an enhancement of ongoing government efforts in Juba to bring lasting peace.
The event was attended by representatives from opposition holdout groups, various stakeholders, and the Tumaini mediation team.
