- The instability in South Sudan, world’s youngest country, started on December 15 when war broke out between government and opposition forces.
- Violence has persisted despite repeated attempts at peace agreements and cease-fires in 2015, 2017 and 2018 driven by IGAD.
Image: PCS
Kenya has reaffirmed her continued commitment to playing the mediator role towards the restoration of peace and stability in the troubled South Sudan nation.
President William Ruto made the assurance on Thursday when he met the AU Panel of the Wise (PoW) at State House, Nairobi.
PoW is a consultative body of the African Union composed of five appointed members mandate is to provide opinions to the Peace and Security Council on issues relevant to conflict prevention, management and resolution.
“Kenya remains steadfast in the South Sudan journey towards the consolidation of peace and security. We are glad there has been demonstrable progress in bringing the country back to stability ahead of elections,” Ruto said in a statement.
“Met the Africa Union Panel of Wise led by former Judge Effie Owour, State House, Nairobi. Former Burundi President Domitien Ndayizeye and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi were present,” he added.
The instability in South Sudan, the world’s youngest country, started on December 15 when war broke out between government and opposition forces after President Salva Kiir accused his former deputy Riek Machar and 10 others of attempting to overthrow his government.
The crisis degenerated into a civil war with soldiers from the Dinka ethnic group aligning with Kiir while those from the Nuer ethnic group supporting Machar.
The violence spread sporadically to Jonglei, Upper Nile and Unity states with armed groups targeting civilians along ethnic lines.
The violence has persisted despite repeated attempts at peace agreements and cease-fires in 2015, 2017 and 2018 driven largely by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
Machar was reinstated as vice president in 2020 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan included a new power-sharing structure.
Although the unity government remains intact, continued attacks coupled with the collapse of multiple previous peace deals and many unaddressed issues including security arrangements, institutional reforms, and electoral preparations highlight concerns that the fragile peace may not hold.
However, Kenya in May this year issued renewed hope of the resolution of the South Sudanese conflict when Ruto launched a high-level mediation team dubbed “Tumaini” [hope in Swahili], to complement the 2018 peace deal.
Ruto designated Major Gen (Rtd) Lazarus Sumbeiywo to chair the mediation talks between President Kiir’s government and rebel opposition groups.
Ahread of the start of the talks in Nairobi on May 10, Ruto on May 7 while receiving the progress report from the chief mediator said he was impressed by the peace process.
"Kenya is impressed by the South Sudan peace process, recognising the importance of stability in the neighbouring state and the region," he said.