The government of South Sudan has launched the process for a new round of peace talks with the opposition coalition, which would be mediated by Kenya.

The launch took place at State House in Nairobi, witnessed by Presidents William Ruto, Namibia’s Nangolo Mbumba, Hakainde Hichilema of Zambia, and Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi.

Other stakeholders include the Chairperson of the AU Commission, Mousa Faki Mahamat, and regional bodies.

The peace talks follow after the negotiations reached a deadlock two years ago due to allegations of mistrust and the South Sudanese government accusing the rebels of buying time as they prepare for war.

However, both sides now view the renewed peace talks as the last opportunity that must be taken seriously to avoid instability and the breakout of another civil war.

South Sudan was embattled in a civil war between 2013 and 2018, which led to more than 400,000 people being killed and thousands displaced.

President Salva Kiir says the mediation led by Kenya will be anchored on the firm foundation laid by the Rome-brokered peace deal of 2018.

He assured stakeholders that his government would negotiate in good faith, with an open mind, and with the hope that the opposition groups have the same conviction to bring about lasting peace and economic development, not just in the country but in the entire region and the African continent.

The leader of the Real-Sudan People's Liberation Movement, Pagan Amum, says the expectation is that the new peace process will be different, as others failed to usher South Sudan into good governance and development.

He accused the state of being bankrupt, incapable of paying the salaries of civil servants, and the population of suffering the worst humanitarian crisis.

“We have to overcome this hatred that has filled our hearts. This is no time for that, especially now that the world is changing and many crises are even coming up beyond the ones we have created ourselves. And we must take this seriously and engage in dialogue; it must be an inclusive dialogue. What we need is not another peace agreement. Peace agreements are not being implemented. We need a serious dialogue and soul search so that we can address the root causes and come up with a new social contract that will define what type of state we want to have," Amum said.

The Real-Sudan People's Liberation Movement is part of the opposition coalition, known as the Non-Signatory South Sudan Opposition Group.

Report: Blanche Goreses
Camera: Tala Kasheeta