Gov’t, opposition inch close to signing deal after 4-months of talks

Members of the hold-out opposition parties have revealed significant progress in negotiations with the transitional unity government in the Kenyan capital.
President Salva Kiir (Center) meets with opposition parties in Nairobi Kenya on 28 August 2024 (Photo by PPU)

By Awan Achiek

Members of the hold-out opposition parties have revealed significant progress in negotiations with the transitional unity government in the Kenyan capital.

 Malual Dau, a representative of the opposition parties said on Wednesday that they have resolved most of the outstanding concerns on eight protocols.

“We have concluded all the protocols except one protocol and from now we are ready to initial all these protocols,” Dau told the State broadcaster SSBC.

This came after the opposition delegation met President Salva Kiir in Nairobi.

Dau expressed hope that the final deal will be signed soon to accelerate efforts toward bringing lasting peace and stability in the country.

“Hopefully within a very short time, we will sign the comprehensive agreement that will address the issue of the constitution, elections, security, reconciliation and peace among the people of South Sudan,” he said.

For his part, Michael Makuei Lueth, government spokesman and rapporteur of the government delegation said the discussion on protocols has reached its final stage.

“All the observations which were made in juba, we incorporated them in the current protocols and the protocols are at present in their final form,” Makuei said.

“We have addressed all the concerns and there will be no way for us to talk again of any other observations,” he added.

The government delegation has been engaged in peace talks with opposition parties that refused to sign the 2018 revitalized peace agreement since May 3, 2024.

The opposition parties include South Sudan United Front (SSUF) led by Gen. Paul Malong Awan, and Real SPLM under Pagan Amum, the former Secretary General for the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party and other parties.

The armed opposition National Salvation Front (NAS) led by Thomas Cirilo Swaka is not taking part in the talks due to lack of security guarantees.

The mediation is led by former Kenya army commander, Lazurus Sumbeiywo, who also mediated the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005 which gave Southern Sudan autonomy and later led to a referendum for independence in 2011.

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