South Sudan’s fragile peace process is set to resume, following a directive from President Salva Kiir and Kenyan President William Ruto.
The talks, previously held in Kenya, are expected to reconvene within the next two weeks to address outstanding issues.
The peace talks had stalled in July when Riek Machar’s party withdrew, citing plans to replace the 2018 peace agreement.
While this agreement has yet to be fully implemented, South Sudan has postponed elections scheduled for December 2023 to 2025 to establish necessary electoral processes.
The Tumaini initiative peace talks, ongoing since May, aimed to include non-signatory groups in the peace process.
However, participants expressed concerns over a new security law that grants the government authority to detain individuals without warrants.
This law has drawn criticism from Western envoys and human rights groups who fear its potential misuse.
South Sudan’s economic crisis, exacerbated by disrupted oil exports due to pipeline damage in neighboring Sudan, has led to significant challenges, including unpaid civil servants for nearly a year.
As the country navigates these complex issues, the resumption of peace talks offers a glimmer of hope for a more stable future.
