SOUTH SUDAN FOREIGN AFFAIRS SAYS ELECTIONS FIRST, NOT TUMAINI

Thomas Kenneth, spokesperson for South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, speaks during a weekly briefing in Juba.(Photo:Radio Tamazuj)

RADIO TMAZUJ

South Sudan is prioritizing preparations for general elections and inter-party dialogue to consolidate peace rather than the Kenya-led Tumaini Initiative, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday.

The Tumaini Initiative (“Hope” in Swahili) is a Kenya-led high-level mediation process launched in May 2024 to bring peace to South Sudan, bringing together the Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) and opposition groups that did not sign the 2018 peace agreement.

The talks stalled in February 2025. They were due to resume in Nairobi on Feb. 9, 2026, focusing on inclusivity, security reforms and developing a National Consensus Charter to govern post-election arrangements, but were later paused during the recent African Union summit in Addis Ababa and meetings of the AU Committee known as the C5, led by South Africa.

Thomas Kenneth Elisapana, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters at a weekly briefing in Juba: “About Tumaini [Initiative], we recognise Kenya’s efforts in pursuing peace in the country; however, government focus now is consolidation of peace and stability in South Sudan, including general elections and inter-party dialogue that was endorsed by the African Union and our partners,” Kenneth said.

“Our focus now is on consolidation of peace and stability in South Sudan, including general elections and inter-party dialogue,” he added, noting that the dialogue process has been endorsed by the African Union and international partners.

South Sudan is preparing to hold general elections in December this year, which Kenneth described as a key element in discussions with foreign partners.

“The country is getting prepared for the general elections to take place in December 2026,” he said.

Kenneth said the government’s diplomatic outreach aims to strengthen ties with international partners, which he described as essential for advancing national interests.

“You cannot stand alone as a country without having relations with other states,” he said, adding that such engagements support cooperation on political, security and economic issues.