Editor's Review

President Ruto said the decision was made following discussions between himself and the Opposition Hold-Out Group of South Sudan.

Kenya has agreed to adjourn the South Sudan mediation talks being held in Nairobi until March 2025 to allow for further consultations.

In a statement on Thursday, February 20, President William Ruto said the decision was made following discussions between himself and the Opposition Hold-Out Group of South Sudan.

“Met the Opposition Hold-Out Group of South Sudan and agreed, at the request of the South Sudan Government delegation, that the mediation process that has been going on in Nairobi adjourns until March 2025 to facilitate consultations that will inform the way forward,” he announced.  

Ruto said the initiative that has been ongoing for nearly a year was undertaken at the request of South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit.

“At the request of President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan, Kenya has been facilitating the mediation process for the past 11 months in an effort to resolve the political stalemate that has resulted in a serious humanitarian situation and difficult security challenges,” he added.

Read More

  1. Ruto Addresses Concerns Raised After Removal of ID Vetting
  2. Wafula Chebukati's Family Speaks After Death
  3. Stop Advertising Plans, Implement Actions - Archbishop Muheria to Ruto’s Gov't

File image of William Ruto’s meeting with Opposition Hold-Out Group delegation

In May 2024, Kenya launched the Tumaini Peace Initiative to foster peace between South Sudan’s Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) and opposition groups that did not sign the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).  

The mediation talks, held in Nairobi under the leadership of Ruto and Chief Mediator Major-General (Retired) Lazarus Sumbeiywo, sought to resolve outstanding issues from the 2018 peace agreement and incorporate the concerns of holdout groups. 

Despite initial progress, the talks faced significant challenges. 

For instance, in July 2024, the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), led by First Vice President Riek Machar, withdrew from the negotiations, citing concerns that the Tumaini Initiative might undermine the existing peace accord.

In November 2024, Kiir and Ruto met and instructed the mediation team to resolve outstanding issues within two weeks. 

As a result, negotiations resumed in December 2024, focusing on key issues such as security arrangements, power sharing, and the drafting of a permanent constitution.