On Thursday, the government of South Sudan and rebel opposition groups signed a “commitment declaration” for peace during high-level mediation talks in Kenya.
This agreement marks a significant step toward ending the conflict in South Sudan, which has severely impacted its economy.
The details of the agreement were not disclosed during the signing ceremony, which was attended by diplomats and civil society groups.
The rebel opposition groups involved in this new agreement were not part of the 2018 peace deal that concluded South Sudan’s five-year civil war, a conflict that resulted in 400,000 deaths and displaced millions.
Kenya’s foreign office described the agreement as a “first milestone” in the ongoing discussions, with all parties committing to ending the violence and hostilities.
During the commencement of the mediation talks a week ago, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir expressed gratitude to Kenyan President William Ruto for hosting the negotiations.
The talks, known as the Tumaini Initiative—Swahili for “hope”—are being led by former Kenyan army commander Lazarus Sumbeiywo.
Despite plans for elections in December, South Sudan remains politically unstable, partly due to the incomplete implementation of the 2018 peace agreement and ongoing conflicts driven by ethnic and political tensions.
