Kenya readies to hold pre-mediation consultation with government and hold- out groups

By Awan Awan

Kenyan President William Ruto on Tuesday said that his government is putting in place necessary arrangements to hold pre-mediation consultations with the South Sudan government and hold-out opposition parties.

“I am encouraged that almost all the parties have responded positively to our call. Kenya is currently making the necessary arrangements to welcome the parties to Nairobi for pre-mediation consultations,” Ruto said in a statement posted on X, formerly Twitter.

He disclosed that the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the East African Community, the UN, AU and the Quad and all partner countries are in support of this noble effort.

“This is the time to give the people of South Sudan an opportunity to enjoy lasting peace and prosperity,” Ruto said.

Ruto said that he has reached out to all the hold-out opposition parties under the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA).

Opposition parties under SSOMA have since November 2019 been engaged in talks with the government in Rome, Italy. The talks resulted into signing of the cessation of hostilities but not political settlement of grievances.