High-level mediation talks on South Sudan were launched Thursday in Kenya with African presidents calling for an end to a conflict that has crippled the country’s economy for years.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir thanked his Kenyan counterpart, William Ruto, for hosting the talks and expressed his government’s willingness to negotiate in good faith and with an open mind.
“We hope that the opposition groups have a similar conviction and desire for peace in South Sudan, which, when fully achieved, will bring everlasting stability and economic development in the region, not just South Sudan,” Kiir said.
The talks aim to bring together the government and rebel opposition groups that were not part of the 2018 agreement that ended a five-year civil war, which resulted in the deaths of 400,000 people.
Kenyan President William Ruto emphasized the need for inclusive and home-grown solutions to African issues, stating that the initiative exemplifies the Pan-African policy of African solutions to African challenges.
Leaders from Malawi, Zambia, Namibia, and the Central African Republic also attended the launch, showing their support for the peace talks.
U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Mike Hammer welcomed the talks, applauding Kenya’s commitment to regional stability and support for peace in South Sudan.
The chief mediator in the South Sudan peace process, Lazarus Sumbeiywo, expressed confidence that the talks would resolve the outstanding issues, emphasizing the need for sustained and continuous mediation.
Despite the 2018 peace agreement, South Sudan remains fragile, with key issues such as a unified security force still unresolved. The country is set to hold elections in December, but the opposition is calling for a speedy implementation of the agreement to ensure free and fair elections.
