After almost two months, the South Sudan Nairobi Mediation by rivalries within the political parties that are participating in the process.

Leaders of three parties are complaining that former chief of staff, Gen Paul Malong, the leader of Real-SPLM, Pagan Amum, and Gen. Stephen Buoy Rolnyang South Sudan People’s Movement (SSPM) are putting pressure on mediator Lazarus Sumbeiywo to exclude some parties whom they claim have connection with the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Gen Malong and his group want three parties; the South Sudan United Front-Progressive (SSUF-P), Patriots’ Resistant Movement (PRM), United Democratic Revolutionary Movement/Army (UDRM/A), and Nilotia People Movement/Nilotia People Defense Force (NPM/NPDF).

In an interview, Sunday de John, the leader of the SSUF-P said that they are being told to align themselves with the three parties who claim to own the process or get out. 

“The mediators have communicated that the process primarily revolves around Gen. Paul Malong, Hon. Pa’gan Amum, and Gen. Stephen Buoy Rolnyang. This exclusionary approach damages the peace process and violates the spirit of inclusivity championed by both presidents,” said Mr de John.

There are threats by Malong, Pagan and Buoy that if other political organizations were to be part of the TUMAINI Initiative, then they would quit as hallow as their call for unity.   Those complaining say that the TUMAINI Initiative, contrary to its intended purpose, has become a platform for a select few.

Mr de John said that the mediators appear to have succumbed to the self-serving narratives of Malong, Pa’gan, and Buoy. While previously influential, these individuals have contributed significantly to the current turmoil in South Sudan. Their involvement has perpetuated conflict and instability.

“Their selfish desire to own the TUMAINI Initiative while disregarding other opposition groups has strained the process. While pretending to be people’s representatives, these three are serving their interests rather than the collective good,” he said.

The three parties say that claims that some of us are associated with RSF are false and must not be entertained. They say that the government of South Sudan must safeguard our national interest by not rewarding those who are meddling in our neighbours’ problems. Acknowledgement that one is a mercenary is not patriotic.

Other political actors like Gen. Thomas Cirillo Swaka, Chairman of the National Salvation Front (NAS), and Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual of the SPLM-IO- Kitgwang, among others, have justifiably rejected participation in this flawed process. The mediators’ failure to further persuade these leaders underscores a significant weakness in the inclusivity of the peace process.

Several participants and Dr Riek Machar of the SPLM-IO have expressed concerns that the TUMAINI is seeking to replace the 2018 Revitalized Agreement for Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) without involving key signatories.

It is essential to devise a better, more inclusive approach that genuinely aims for lasting peace and stability in South Sudan. The international community should support a process that prioritizes the well-being of all South Sudanese and not just a select few.

They are calling for President Salva Kiir Mayardit and President William Ruto to review and re-assess the current peace process. They say that the two presidents need to ensure that the process is genuinely inclusive and representative of all stakeholders who are committed to peace and stability in South Sudan.

The aggrieved leaders include Mr John, Gen Laraka Machar Turoal  Chairman and Commander-In-Chief of the Patriots’ Resistant Movement (PRM), Prof Deng Nyang Vanang  Chairman and Commander-In-Chief United Democratic Revolutionary Movement/Army (UDRM/A), and Maj Gen.Peter Choul Gatluak the  Chairman and Commander-In-Chief Nilotia People Movement (NPM/NPDF)

“By denying other opposition groups a chance to participate in the peace process that they are not a threat militarily is unacceptable. Violence or threat of violence must not be rewarded. Stop making warlords. We have strong forces, however, we will not stage war. We need peace and our country must recover,” said Mr John.