South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Benjamin Takpiny

President Salva Kiir Mayardit has urged the opposition parties attending the recently suspended Tumaini talks in the Kenyan capital to put the interest of the country first.
Kiir said in his New Year message on Tuesday that he does not wish to leave out any political opposition out of the transitional unity government heading into 2025.
“I do not foresee it just to leave any party behind, nor isolate some of the existing parties to the agreement. I implore us to compromise, to accommodate all the parties, for the time has come where leadership is needed more than politics,” said Kiir in Juba.
The stalled Tumaini peace negotiation taking place in Nairobi will resume on January 6th, 2025.
Kiir asked the opposition to show patriotism and put the interest of the country first.
He said that politics in South Sudan is driven by the clamor for key political positions and self-interest, adding that leadership should be based on leaders with a vision for making South Sudan a better country going forward.
Kiir also assured that 2025 will be a year of unity of purpose towards comprehensive peace in the country.
He said that achieving sustainable peace and unity is crucial for the survival of South Sudan.
“Though we have failed in conducting general elections to mark the end of the transitional period, we have equally made real progress in the implementation of the agreement that will lay a solid ground for the conduct of peaceful and credible elections in 2026,” said Kiir.
He disclosed that the decision to postpone elections in September, last year and consequent extension of the transitional period for another 24 months was due to practical reasons such as economic hardship the country is experiencing.
Kiir said the government was unable to fund implementation of key provisions of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.
“I appreciate the signatories to the peace agreement for their leadership and understanding that the extension was the best option. We have collectively chosen leadership over politics, and we have proven to the world that we can provide South Sudanese solutions to South Sudanese problems. We might be slow in implementation, but sure in our determination to holding on to peace,” said Kiir.
The key pending issues under the 2018 revitalized peace agreement include the enactment of the permanent constitution, graduation of the remaining unified forces to reach the targeted 83,000 ratio, and also enactment of key electoral laws and also establishment of transitional justice and accountability mechanisms to reconcile and unite the country.