SOUTH SUDAN OPPOSITION LEADERS DEMAND OVERHAUL OF EXCLUSIONARY TUMAINI PEACE INITIATIVE.
BY NJOKI KARANJA.
In a fervent call for action, leaders of three prominent opposition groups—South Sudan United Front-Progressive (SSUF-P), United Democratic Revolutionary Movement/Army (UDRM/A), and Nilotia People Movement/Nilotia People Defense Force (NPM/NPDF)—have raised alarms over the ongoing peace process under the TUMAINI Initiative. In a detailed statement, Dr. Emmanuel Sunday John, Prof. Deng Vanang, and Maj. Gen. Peter Choul Gatluak condemned the current direction of the peace talks, accusing the process of being exclusionary and manipulated by vested interests.
The leaders expressed grave concerns over the involvement of Gen. Paul Malong, Hon. Pa’gan Amum, and Gen. Stephen Buoy Rolnyang, figures they allege are central to the conflict and corruption that has ravaged South Sudan. They criticized the TUMAINI Initiative for sidelining other significant opposition factions, contrary to the initial promises of inclusivity made by President Salva Kiir Mayardit and President William Samoei Ruto during the opening ceremony in Nairobi.
“Despite the initial promise of inclusivity and comprehensive dialogue, the current trajectory of the peace process has deviated significantly from these noble intentions,” the statement read, highlighting the past involvement of Malong and Amum in perpetuating violence and corruption. The leaders stressed that the peace process must not be dominated by those who have historically contributed to South Sudan’s turmoil.
1. Exclusionary Practices:
The opposition leaders accused the mediators of focusing the peace process around Malong, Amum, and Buoy, effectively excluding other critical stakeholders. This approach, they argue, violates the TUMAINI Initiative’s Declaration of Commitment, which calls for the active participation of all parties.
2. Inauthentic peace Initiative:
The statement described the TUMAINI Initiative as a façade created by Malong’s associates to further their own interests, rather than genuinely addressing the needs of the South Sudanese people. The leaders called this a cunning ploy aimed at consolidating power under the guise of succession politics.
3. Compromised integrity:
The opposition groups believe that the mediators have succumbed to the self-serving narratives of Malong, Amum, and Buoy, undermining the integrity of the peace process. They stressed that the inclusion of credible actors dedicated to rebuilding the nation is essential for genuine peace.
The opposition leaders have urged Presidents Kiir and Ruto to reassess the peace process to ensure it is genuinely inclusive and representative of all stakeholders. They emphasized the need for a peace agreement that is implementable and not merely a surrender agreement favoring a few.
Moreover, the leaders appealed to the international community, especially the TROIKA nations, to withhold funding and support for the TUMAINI Initiative in its current form. They called for a more inclusive approach that prioritizes the well-being of all South Sudanese.
The statement concludes with a plea for a transparent and representative peace process that includes all factions dedicated to peace and stability. “The TUMAINI Initiative, as it currently stands, is not a beacon of hope for all South Sudanese but a narrow pathway for Malong, Pa’gan, and Buoy to further their own agendas,” the leaders warned, urging the mediators to act in the best interest of South Sudan and its people.
The leaders’ call underscores the urgency and complexity of achieving sustainable peace in South Sudan, a nation that has suffered deeply from prolonged conflict and instability.
