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The recent expulsion of the United Democratic Revolutionary Movement/Army (UDRM-A) and the Nailotia Peoples Movement (NPM/NPDF) from the Tumaini Initiative of High Level Mediation has sparked significant controversy and raised serious questions about the credibility of the mediation process both regionally and internationally.
The Tumaini Peace Initiative, aimed at fostering peace and stability in South Sudan, has faced a setback following the exclusion of these two significant opposition movements. The expulsion was reportedly influenced by internal leadership conflicts within the South Sudan United National Alliance (SSUNA), a coalition that includes the SSPM/A, UDRM-A, NPM/NPDF, and the National People’s Movement.
According to Honorable Dr. Joseph Madak, Secretary General and Chief Mediator, the decision to remove UDRM-A and NPM/NPDF was driven by leadership issues within SSUNA, where decisions were made without the inclusion of all leaders representing the alliance’s movements. This has been perceived as a move influenced by the SSUNA Chairman, rather than an impartial mediation effort, leading to a substantial erosion of trust in the process.
The UDRM, which had formally withdrawn from SSUNA citing lack of inclusivity, had requested to be included in the peace talks as an independent entity. This request, however, was denied by the mediation leadership, causing discontent among the expelled parties. UDRM and NPM have expressed their unwavering commitment to the peace process and have rejected their expulsion, labeling it as unfair and procedurally flawed. They argue that they were not given the opportunity to discuss their withdrawal from SSUNA with the mediation team, a step they consider crucial for transparent and fair mediation.
The expulsion of these movements has raised alarms about the impartiality and inclusiveness of the Tumaini Peace Initiative. Many believe that the decision undermines the spirit of inclusivity that is essential for a credible peace process. The leadership crisis within SSUNA should not, in the view of UDRM and NPM, justify the termination of any party’s participation in the peace talks, especially when these differences have no adverse effect on the peace process itself.
The parties are calling on the mediation leadership and the Government of Kenya to intervene and resolve this issue amicably. They urge the mediators to allow UDRM and NPM to participate as independent movements, which they believe will restore trust and enhance the credibility of the peace initiative. This inclusion is seen as vital not only for the South Sudanese people but also for the regional and international communities invested in South Sudan’s stability.
In a joint statement, the leaders of UDRM and NPM appealed to President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan and President William Ruto of Kenya, emphasizing that the peace process, initiated in good faith, is now at risk of being co-opted by a few opposition groups with narrow agendas. They warned that the current trajectory could derail the efforts to achieve lasting peace in South Sudan, urging donor communities to take note of the process’s deviation from its intended inclusive approach.
The expulsion, dated June 11, 2024, by Chief Mediator General Lazarus Sumbeiywo (Retd.), has indeed placed the Tumaini Peace Initiative in a precarious position. If unresolved, this decision could severely impact the initiative’s standing and effectiveness, casting doubts on its ability to mediate complex conflicts impartially and inclusively.
The call for an inclusive and fair mediation process remains strong, with many advocating that the only path to genuine peace in South Sudan lies in the representation and participation of all relevant parties, free from political maneuvering.
