Africa-Press – South-Sudan. Retired Kenyan General Lazaro Sumbeiywo, the Chief Facilitator of the Tumaini Initiative, has handed over a Framework for Dialogue to a Special Envoy of President Salva Kiir Mayardit in Nairobi, aimed at resolving South Sudan’s prolonged political deadlock.
According to a press statement issued by the Initiative, Lt. Gen. Lazaro Sumbeiywo (Rtd), the Chief Facilitator of the Tumaini Initiative, presented the framework on January 29 to a Special Envoy of President Salva Kiir Mayardit in Nairobi.
“The Framework is intended to guide deliberations on a draft South Sudan National Consensus Charter for Peace and Democracy,” the statement said.
The Initiative noted that the framework was also presented to leaders of the SPLM-IO in Nairobi, opposition leaders under the United Peoples’ Alliance (UPA), prominent civil society leaders, as well as groups within the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA), including the National Salvation Front (NAS). The South Sudan Council of Churches was also briefed on the framework.
Describing the move as a milestone, the statement said the handover “marks a critical step toward a transparent and accountable South Sudanese-led and South Sudanese-owned inclusive national consensus that charts a clear pathway to the successful conclusion of the transition through timely, credible, free, and fair elections.”
The Tumaini Initiative emphasized that the forthcoming dialogue represents a major shift in how peace talks are conducted in South Sudan.
“Procedurally, the dialogue adopts an inclusive and non-hierarchical approach in which all participants genuinely engage as equal stakeholders,” the statement noted, adding that the process calls for “dynamism, pragmatism, patriotism and goodwill for the people and the Republic of South Sudan.”
Unlike past negotiations, the Initiative said the process would move away from confrontational bargaining. “The process moves away from adversarial posturing and zero-sum negotiations, and instead promotes a people-centred model focused on collective problem-solving and national ownership,” the statement read.
Participants, it added, are expected to refrain from pursuing narrow political, sectarian, or ethnic interests and instead “prioritize the supreme interests of the people of South Sudan—peace, security, dignity, transparent and accountable governance, and democratic choice.”
Substantively, the dialogue will focus on ending violence and improving civilian safety.
“The dialogue focuses on the cessation of hostilities, stabilization, civilian protection, and humanitarian assistance,” the Initiative said, noting that it aims to rebuild trust among stakeholders and break “the country’s prolonged cycle of political stalemate, perpetual transitions, and recurring conflict.”
The framework also outlines issues to be addressed by a future elected government. Stakeholders are expected to agree on a long-term agenda covering permanent constitution-making, transitional justice, durable solutions for displaced persons and refugees, security sector transformation, unification of forces, and disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR).
While acknowledging the role of the 2018 Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), the Tumaini Initiative said it seeks to build on that foundation.
“The proposed Framework responds to the legitimate aspirations of South Sudanese citizens for good governance and accountable leadership, an end to cycles of violence, improved economic conditions, and a definitive transition,” the statement said.
The Initiative added that the process will be convened within a regional framework, working with IGAD as steward of the peace process and with the support of international partners.
Deliberations on the draft National Consensus Charter are expected to be concluded within four weeks.
Lt. Gen. Lazaro K. Sumbeiywo (Rtd) signed the statement as Chief Facilitator of the Tumaini Initiative.
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