The consortium of South Sudanese civil society organizations (CSOs) has called for the relocation of the ongoing peace talks from Nairobi, Kenya, to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, citing safety concerns. The peace talks, led by Kenya and mediated by Major General (retired) Lazarus Sumbeiywo, have faced challenges, including mistrust among participants. Despite these concerns, the talks commenced in Nairobi on May 10, 2024, with the goal of addressing unresolved issues from the 2018 peace agreement.

The talks, known as the “Tumaini” initiative, aim to bring lasting peace to South Sudan by involving key opposition groups that previously did not sign the 2018 agreement. These groups, known as the hold-outs, include the Real-SPLM led by Pagan Amum and the National Salvation Front (NAS) led by Thomas Cirillo, However, the CSOs argue that relocating the talks to Addis Ababa would provide a more neutral and safer environment, enhancing the likelihood of successful negotiations.

Kenya’s President William Ruto and other regional leaders have been actively involved in the mediation efforts, stressing the importance of achieving sustainable peace in South Sudan. President Ruto has reiterated Kenya’s commitment to facilitating these talks, despite the challenges and the CSOs’ concerns