The expanded meeting of the Presidency and leaders of political parties has called for an expeditious conclusion of the talks between the government and opposition holdout groups under the Tumaini consensus in Nairobi.
The meeting endorsed a 15-member team headed by Senior Presidential Advisor Gen Kuol Manyang to head the delegation. Gen Manyang also deputizes President Kiir in the ruling SPLM Party.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, President Kiir’s Advisor on National Security Affairs Tut Gatluak Manime said the meeting resolved that negotiators should approach the talks with an open mind and a strong commitment to securing a durable peace to pave the way for reforms.
The country’s top leaders, he added, emphasized the urgency of finding a comprehensive solution to the ongoing political impasse.
The leaders highlighted that political stability and economic reforms were pivotal for the nation’s recovery, particularly as South Sudan prepares for its first democratic elections since independence, he said.
The meeting, which brought together key figures from the political parties, underscored the need for a united front in addressing the challenges facing the country, he said.
Cabinet Affairs Minister Dr Martin Elia Lomuro reiterated the government’s commitment to resolving the political conflict by ensuring that all voices were heard and all parties included in the discussions.
South Sudan’s transitional government and the holdout opposition groups are scheduled to resume peace talks in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, on November 18.
The decision to resume the talks follows a meeting between Kenyan President William Ruto and President Kiir’s Special Envoy and Minister of Presidential Affairs in Nairobi Wednesday.
During the meeting, Kiir’s envoy Chol Ajongo informed the Kenyan leader about the reconstitution of the government delegation and the resumption of the talks.
The Kenya-led Tumaini Initiative, which began on May 9, suffered a setback in July when some parties raised concerns over specific mechanisms.
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