JUBA – Peace talks between South Sudan’s transitional government and holdout opposition groups teetered on the brink of collapse Monday after government representatives failed to attend the latest round of negotiations in Nairobi, part of the Kenya-led Tumaini peace initiative.
The initiative, launched by Kenyan President William Ruto in May, seeks to bring non-signatory opposition factions into the peace process to resolve South Sudan’s protracted conflict. Despite earlier commitments from South Sudanese President Salva Kiir to dispatch a new negotiating team, the delegation did not appear, drawing accusations of sabotage from opposition leaders.
Government team criticized as “anti-Tumaini”
The absence of the government delegation follows Kiir’s recent appointment of a new negotiating team, including Petroleum Minister Puot Kang and Cabinet Minister Martin Elia Lomuro. Opposition groups have criticized the team, claiming its members are obstructing progress.
“To our dismay, the R-TGONU has changed its delegation after having negotiated and agreed to the Tumaini Consensus. The new delegation is largely composed of Anti-Tumaini elements,” a joint statement from opposition factions, including the South Sudan People’s Movement (SSPM) and the South Sudan United Front (SSUF), read.
The opposition accused the government of reneging on previous agreements, citing its failure to attend the signing of the Tumaini Consensus on Sept. 16, 2024.
Broader grievances against Juba
The opposition groups also criticized the government for corruption and mismanagement, pointing to the non-payment of civil servants and security forces for over a year and its inability to address humanitarian crises such as flooding, communal violence, and widespread insecurity.
“This shows a serious lack of good faith and unwillingness to conclude the Tumaini peace process,” the statement read.
Commitment to peace despite challenges
Despite frustrations, the opposition reaffirmed its commitment to the Kenya-led process and urged the government to return to the negotiating table.
“The Opposition and Stakeholders remain on the negotiating table and have been patiently waiting for the Government delegation to return and sign the Tumaini Consensus as agreed,” they stated.
The failure to advance peace talks risks further prolonging South Sudan’s instability, leaving millions of its citizens grappling with poverty, displacement, and violence.
