Makui: Kenya-led South Sudan peace talks ‘not over yet’

Information Minister Michael Makui said on Wednesday that South Sudan’s Tumani Initiative talks in Nairobi had not “failed”. One day after the opposition met with Kenyan President William Ruto.

“I want to tell the public that the Toumani initiative is still alive and well. Do not listen to the rumours that Toumani is dead,” he told state media.

Makui said it is normal for problems to arise in negotiations. “Therefore, we firmly believe that we can reach the Tumani consensus and achieve peace and stability in South Sudan.”

Makui, who is serving as rapporteur of the government delegation to the Nairobi talks, called on the public not to lose hope.

Makui said the mediation had enabled the media to return to the negotiation site in Nairobi to continue informing the people of South Sudan about the progress of the negotiations.

“I invite all media outlets that are able to maintain personnel in Nairobi to come and provide daily coverage of the process so that our personnel are kept informed,” he said.

Peace talks began in Nairobi on May 9 but stalled last month after representatives of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO), led by First Vice President Riek Machar, withdrew.

They believe the protocol under discussion would undermine the provisions of the 2018 peace agreement.The agreement, formally known as the Revitalized Agreement, was signed by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, led by President Salva Kiir, and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition, as well as other political factions.

The talks in Nairobi are aimed at engaging groups that were not part of the revival of the peace deal.

Last week, the chief mediator, retired Kenyan general Lazarus Sumbeiywo, told Radio Tamazuj that mediation efforts were ongoing. The negotiations entered a very advanced stage after the two sides signed a series of protocols.

According to General Sumbewo, the mediation team briefed the Juba leadership and said they were waiting for the government delegation to return to the negotiations.