Opposition parties express hope of positive outcome on the Nairobi peace process

The opposition parties attending the high-level Nairobi peace talks with the transitional unity government, on Thursday said they remain hopeful of reaching a deal that will help integrate all opposition players in the ongoing peace process in South Sudan
 Members of the opposition parties are seen at the High-Level Nairobi peace talks.

By Awan Achiek

The opposition parties attending the high-level Nairobi peace talks with the transitional unity government, on Thursday said they remain hopeful of reaching a deal that will help integrate all opposition players in the ongoing peace process in South Sudan.

The opposition groups which were not part of the 2018 revitalized agreement include parties under the South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance (SSOMA) and People’s Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA) – a pressure grouping of civil society and academics.

They said in a joint statement in a joint statement issued in the Kenyan capital, that talks dubbed “Tumaini Talks” meaning in Swahili “hope” will salvage the country from total collapse.

“On this note, we welcome the Tumaini Initiative as the last golden opportunity to rescue South Sudan from collapse and disintegration,” they said.

The talks which commenced on May 3rd this year are being mediated by the former Kenyan army commander Lazarus Sumbeiywo.

The opposition parties praised President Salva Kiir Mayardit’s decision to invite President William Ruto to take charge of the peace talks, adding that the progress made so far made at the negotiating table will help resolve the political crisis in the country.

“We hail the courage shown by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of Republic of South Sudan for reaching out to the non-signatory opposition groups (NSOG) through his request for William Samoei Ruto to help resolve the South Sudan crisis,” they said.

The opposition noted that the country is engulfed in a deep national crisis with its social fabric torn.

“South Sudan is engulfed in a deep national crisis; its social fabric is torn. Its economy is in ruin, reeling under the toxic effects of state capture and runaway corruption,” they said.

They called on the international and regional communities to support the ongoing peace initiative.

The government and opposition groups have already signed a “commitment declaration” for peace during the talks.

Experts have described the signing of this document as a key step in efforts to end the conflict in South Sudan that has long crippled its economy.

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