In his address at the opening of the talks in Nairobi on May 3, Amb. Gituai said, “This success would build a momentum for the implementation of the remaining pending tasks of the R-ARCSS, towards the achievement of the lasting peace and stability in South Sudan.”  

He added, “This gathering is a commendable demonstration of commitment by all that peace can only be achieved through a sustained dialogue, inclusivity and consensus building, which is an intrinsic acceptable process rather than violence.”

“I would like to underscore that the main expectation of the people of South Sudan is that your positive and constructive engagements here in Nairobi will galvanize and bolster the peace efforts already underway in South Sudan,” he noted.

“A positive conclusion to this mediation process will no doubt empower the country’s reconciliation process, bring about enabling environment for national development and will contribute to durable peace, justice, liberty and prosperity to the people of South Sudan,” he added.  

“Since the signing of the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution to the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) in 2018, South Sudan has experienced 5½ years of relative peace, despite sporadic skirmishes and communal fighting that continues to occur in several parts of the country,” Gituai said.

He commended the mediation team from the Revitalised Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) led by Amb. Albino Mathom for their commitment and continued search for an all-inclusive peace in South Sudan from the time that these negotiations commenced in Rome.

“I wish to commend the South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance (SSOMA) groups for their acceptance to continue to dialogue and accepting to come to the IGAD region in cognisance of the importance of regional support to these talks by embracing Nairobi as the venue for these deliberations.