Government, opposition commit to consensus as Tumaini talks resume

Meanwhile, the mediation team presented a draft framework highlighting both points of agreement and areas of contention, distilled into four agenda items

By Emmanuel Mandella

Discussions at the Tumaini peace talks resumed with renewed optimism as both the Government of South Sudan and opposition groups expressed focus on crafting a durable peace framework. Government spokesperson Dr. Elia Lomuro Martin emphasized a spirit of compromise as the foundation for this critical phase in negotiations.

“We should have an agreement which truly describes the Tumaini consensus and initiative, complementing the existing revitalized peace agreement to ensure comprehensive access and balanced representation,” Dr. Lomuro stated during a press briefing.

The recent phase of talks resumed in December 2024. According to the government delegation, the protocols should align with the 2018 revitalized peace agreement.

Meanwhile, the mediation team presented a draft framework highlighting both points of agreement and areas of contention, distilled into four agenda items. According to Dr. Martin, the next phase will address these substantive issues in detail, with the government poised to provide a comprehensive response.

“What we have decided to do is to identify areas of common understanding and clarify points of difference. Where structures overlap or contradict, we have aligned them with the R-ARCSS, eliminating redundancies and ensuring all relevant parties, including opposition groups, are represented,” Dr. Lomuro explained.

According to Dr. Lomuro, the proposed framework would integrate the opposition representation into key national structures, including the Joint Defense Board (JDB), Joint Transitional Security Committee (JTSC), and Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM). It also expands the High-Level Standing Committee to encompass broader representation.

United People’s Alliance (UPA) spokesperson Lual Dau confirmed the government’s presentation and expressed cautious optimism.

“UPA leadership listened keenly and patiently. We will study the document, ask questions, and seek clarification from the government. We are committed to searching for peace and hope that together we reach an agreement that truly alleviates the suffering of our people,” Lual remarked.

Both parties remain resolute in their commitment to a peaceful resolution. The Tumaini Peace Talks signify a pivotal moment, where consensus and action could transform the landscape of conflict resolution and national unity in South Sudan.

Opposition’s cautious optimism

Meanwhile, the leader of the United People’s Alliance (UPA), General Pagan Amum, has expressed cautious optimism on the peace talks as the negotiations resumed in Nairobi on Monday.

Amum voiced serious concerns about the government’s commitment to the process, accusing its delegation of backtracking on previously agreed protocols.

“Talks are progressing well, but our observation is that the government is reneging on the eight protocols we had initialed,” Amum told Radio Tamazuj in an exclusive interview on Tuesday. “The government is reopening what we had already agreed upon for renegotiation, and this is widening the gap between the two sides.”

The Tumaini talks, stalled since last year, have taken on new significance following the formation of the United People’s Alliance (UPA) by various opposition factions, aiming to strengthen their collective bargaining power. Despite the fresh momentum, the negotiations remain fraught with challenges.

Gen. Amum, a veteran opposition figure and head of the Real SPLM faction, lamented what he described as a lack of seriousness from the government’s representatives.

“Although we have worked hard to bring peace to our people, I don’t see any real capacity to achieve peace during this round with the current government delegation,” he said, emphasizing his skepticism while reaffirming UPA’s commitment to dialogue.

“On Monday, we discussed how we could proceed with negotiations, and today the government delegation presented its position on the eight protocols. We will review this before presenting our own position in the coming days,” Amum added, outlining the progress made so far.

Amum credited the rebranding of the opposition coalition from the South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance (SSOMA) to the United People’s Alliance (UPA) as a strategic move to strengthen their influence in the talks.

“We have been in talks with the government since last April. We started by coordinating with various opposition factions to present a united front, and this has helped us make progress. Having a united front under the UPA alliance strengthens our position and pushes our struggle for a just peace and governance in South Sudan,” he explained.

While the Tumaini Initiative remains a critical avenue for resolving South Sudan’s ongoing crisis, Amum warned of alternative measures if negotiations falter.

“We are uniting our military forces under a single command in South Sudan. For now, we are committed to achieving peace through the Tumaini Initiative,” he stated.

“However, if we fail to reach peace soon, it will be due to the government’s lack of commitment and repeated breaches of agreements. In that case, we will have no choice but to continue our struggle by all means necessary for genuine peace.”

The Tumaini Initiative’s success hinges on overcoming deep-rooted mistrust between the government and opposition. With rising stakes and a fragile peace on the line, all eyes remain on Nairobi as negotiators return to the table to decide South Sudan’s future.

“We have been in talks with the government since last April. We started by coordinating with various opposition factions to present a united front, and this has helped us make progress,” Pagan Amum, chairperson of the newly formed United People’s Alliance (UPA).