Kenya president appoints ex-army commander as mediator for South Sudan talks

March 31, 2024 (JUBA)- Kenyan president William Ruto has appointed a former army commander as chief mediator for South Sudan peace talks, ushering in the start of a formal process between the government and the hold-out groups.

General Lazarus Sumbeiywo, according to a dispatch from the office of the Kenyan president to the South Sudan president, is named the chief mediator for the process. He will be assisted in the role by a Kenyan diplomat Mohamed Ali Guyo.

The two officials, one a retired army commander and another a diplomat in Kenyan foreign services were assigned at the behest of South Sudanese president Salva Kiir. They will facilitate the talks between the government and a coalition of armed and non-armed opposition groups operating under the banner of hold-out groups.

Faith-based groups and civil society organizations will also participate in the dialogue.

Sumbeiywo is not new in South Sudan and endeavors aimed at resolving political and military disputes through peaceful dialogue. The mediation led to the signing of the 2005 comprehensive peace agreement which granted South Sudan self-government and a clause for self-determination at the end of the interim period. A referendum conducted in 2011 culminated in the secession of the South.

He was also a Kenyan special envoy for Sudan from 1997 through 1998 before President Daniel Arap Moi assigned him the role of the mediator for peace talks between the government of Sudan led by President Omer Hassan Al Bashir and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement and the army under its founding leader, late John Garang de Mabior.

The Kenyan president said he decided to nominate him for the role because of his knowledge and understanding of the context and people involved in the dialogue as well as issues being resolved.

“Based on your wealth of experience and invaluable contribution in mediating the signing of the comprehensive peace agreement in 2005, I appoint you as the chief mediator, from April 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, reads an appointment letter by Ruto.

South Sudan is currently grappling with a raft of issues, including a lack of the implementation of key provisions in the 2015 peace agreement revitalized in 2018. The holdout groups are a group of armed and non-political and military dissidents who did not sign 2018, citing a lack of inclusivity and failure to address the root causes of the 2013 conflict.

It comprises the South Sudan United Front, an outfit under former army chief of Staff, Paul Malong Awan, and the Real Sudan People’s Liberation Movement led by the former secretary of the ruling Sudan people’s Liberation Movement, Pagan Amum. The two opposition leaders have shown interest in negotiation with the government in Juba.

A group under the national democratic movement patriotic front led by Emmanuel Ajawin and the National Salvation Front by General Thomas Cirrilo Swaka, have demanded a pre-negotiation, citing the security and safety of the opposition leaders.

No official date has been announced for the start of the mediation and negotiation process.

The process is at the preparatory stage, with diplomats and officials with direct knowledge of the process telling Sudan Tribune that President Kiir has indicated readiness to reach an understanding with a group under Paul Malong Awan and Pagan Amum, preferring a return before the end of the lifespan of the transitional government of national unity.

(ST)