On December 25, 2023, I accepted the request of my brother President Salva Kiir Mayardit to host and conclude the remaining phase of the peace talks that have been going on between the Government of South Sudan and hold-out opposition parties in Rome, Italy, under the auspices of the Community of Sant’Egidio.
Today, I apprised President Kiir on the steps we have taken to realize this imperative. Upon receiving the President’s request, I reached out to the Community of Sant’Egidio and applauded them for hosting the talks and inviting them to work with us to bring these talks to a fruitful conclusion. I have also personally reached out to all the hold-out opposition parties under the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance expressing my desire to ensure an all-inclusive and equitable mediation.
I am encouraged that almost all the parties have responded positively to our call. Kenya is currently making the necessary arrangements to welcome the parties to Nairobi for per-mediation consultations. We invite all friends of South Sudan, including IGAD, the East African Community, the UN, the AU, the Quad and all Partner countries to support this noble effort. This is the time to give the people of South Sudan an opportunity to enjoy lasting peace and prosperity.
