After months of delays and political setbacks, South Sudan’s stalled peace talks resumed on Wednesday in Nairobi, Kenya, marking a renewed effort to address the country’s ongoing conflict. Dubbed “Tumaini,” Swahili for hope, the discussions bring together South Sudan’s government and opposition groups excluded from the 2018 peace agreement that ended a devastating five-year civil war in which more than 400,000 people died.
The talks, which began in May, initially showed promise with the signing of a “commitment declaration” for peace. However, progress was derailed after South Sudanese President Salva Kiir dismissed the government’s delegation to the talks without explanation. A new team was appointed but faced travel delays to Nairobi, further stalling negotiations.
President Kiir emphasized last month that the ongoing talks are not intended to replace the 2018 peace agreement but to address and incorporate the grievances of holdout groups. The implementation of the 2018 accord remains incomplete, with elections originally scheduled for December 2024 postponed to 2026 due to voter registration delays and financial constraints.
South Sudan’s economy, heavily reliant on oil exports, has been crippled by a damaged pipeline in neighboring Sudan, where a civil war is underway. The economic crisis has left civil servants unpaid for over a year, exacerbating public discontent and instability.
Chief mediator Lazarus Sumbeiyo urged all parties to resolve outstanding issues during Wednesday’s session, stressing the urgency of progress. Opposition leader Pagan Amum, representing the South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance, warned that the talks might be the country’s last chance to avoid collapse.
“This is not a time to renegotiate what we have already agreed upon,” Amum said. “It is important to remember that this is probably the last chance to rescue our country from total disintegration and collapse into chaos and disorder.”
Kuol Manyang Juuk, speaking for the government delegation, called for unity and continuity. “We are not here to start the talks from scratch; we are here to build on what has been accomplished,” he said.
Despite the promising resumption, tensions persist. Both sides have expressed concerns over a controversial new law allowing detentions without arrest warrants, arguing that it violates human rights.
As negotiations continue, the stakes remain high for South Sudan. With elections on the horizon and the economy in turmoil, the success of the Tumaini peace talks could determine the country’s path toward stability or further unrest.
