Ruto Urges Dialogue for Peace in South Sudan Conflict

President William Ruto emphasizes dialogue as essential for peace in South Sudan. He has engaged with both President Kiir and Vice President Machar regarding the increasing violence and has announced regional consultations to determine effective solutions. Despite past peace initiatives, including the 2018 Revitalized Agreement, challenges persist, necessitating renewed efforts like the Nairobi Tumaini Initiative to include previously unaligned groups in the peace process.

President William Ruto has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to fostering regional peace by advocating for dialogue as the primary means to restore security in South Sudan. He has actively called for a ceasefire in the nation, utilizing his position as the chairman of the East African Community to urge both parties in conflict to prioritize national unity over discord.

On Thursday, President Ruto communicated with President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar regarding the worsening security conditions in South Sudan. He stated, “I implored both leaders to engage in dialogue towards fostering peace in the country even as the region works towards the stabilisation of South Sudan under IGAD’s Strategic Framework.”

Ruto further conveyed that regional consultations are in progress to discern the most effective strategies for addressing South Sudan’s situation. Since its descent into civil war in December 2013, the conflict has been predominantly fueled by political disagreements within the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), leading to widespread ethnic violence and mass civilian displacement.

Despite numerous peace agreements and ceasefires in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2024, instability persists. The June 2018 Revitalised Agreement aimed to cease hostilities and establish a unity government, yet its implementation has been sluggish, resulting in ongoing violence. Recently, peace talks under the “Tumaini Initiative” resumed in late November 2024, incorporating major groups that previously resisted joining the 2018 Juba Agreement.

Signatories to the new deal include various factions such as the Sudan Liberation Army Movement, the Arko Minawi wing, the Justice and Equality Movement, and Malik Aqar’s movement. The Nairobi Tumaini Initiative is intended to bolster IGAD’s ongoing efforts to support the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement to improve the conflict’s resolution in South Sudan.

President Ruto’s advocacy for dialogue and regional cooperation marks a critical step in addressing the ongoing conflict in South Sudan. His discussions with key leaders Kiir and Machar underscore the importance of immediate and concerted action to stabilize the region. The recent resumption of the Tumaini Initiative reflects a broader commitment to achieving lasting peace and the challenges persistent in past agreements demonstrate the necessity for sustained engagement and collaboration among all stakeholders involved.

Original Source: www.the-star.co.ke