NAIROBI, Dec. 6 (AGCNewsNet) – Talks aimed at integrating South Sudan’s holdout opposition groups into the nation’s fragile peace process resumed in Nairobi this week, with government and opposition representatives meeting for the first time since May.

The discussions, known as the Tumaini talks, were first initiated earlier this year to address grievances from opposition groups that did not sign the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement, which sought to end South Sudan's brutal five-year civil war that claimed over 400,000 lives.

The talks faced significant delays after South Sudanese President Salva Kiir dismissed the previous government delegation without explanation. Although a new delegation was appointed, logistical issues prevented their participation in earlier sessions in Nairobi.

In a statement last month, Kiir emphasized that the Tumaini talks are not a replacement for the 2018 peace accord but are meant to address specific concerns of the holdout groups.

The 2018 peace agreement, hailed as a critical step toward ending years of conflict, remains only partially implemented. National elections, initially scheduled for December 2024, were postponed following the extension of South Sudan’s transitional period by two years.

The elections, now slated for December 2026, will be the first in the country’s history since gaining independence in 2011. Observers warn that further delays in implementing the agreement and resolving outstanding issues with opposition groups could jeopardize the peace process.

South Sudan’s transitional government faces mounting pressure to ensure credible elections and deliver on promises of stability and inclusivity. The outcome of the Nairobi talks could play a pivotal role in shaping the country’s political future.

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