High-level consultative meetings involving major South Sudan opposition groups are underway in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, as part of efforts to revive an inclusive peace process amid stalled implementation of the 2018 peace agreement.
The consultations are being held under the auspices of former Tanzanian president and African Union envoy on South Sudan, Jakaya Kikwete.
The meetings, which are being conducted separately with each group, began on Thursday and are expected to conclude on Friday.
Participants include the United People’s Alliance (UPA), led by Pagan Amum; the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA), led by Gen. Thomas Cirillo; the SPLM-IO aligned with Dr. Riek Machar; the People’s Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA); and the Federal Democratic Party, led by Gabriel Changson Chang.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Thursday, UPA Secretary General Lual Dau said the group’s delegation, led by Amum, was taking part in consultations with the AU team.
“The UPA high-level delegation includes Gen. Paul Malong, Gen. Marko Laku, Gen. Stephen Buay Rolnyang, Gen. Oyai Deng Ajak, Dr. Cirino Hiteng and other members,” Lual said.
Lual said the opposition groups had presented their views on the failure to fully implement the revitalised peace agreement, the government’s withdrawal from the Tumaini Peace Initiative and violations of the peace deal.
“We proposed that the only way forward for an inclusive peace process is to begin with the release of all political detainees in the country and the return of all parties to an inclusive dialogue to draw a clear roadmap for peace,” he said.
He said the consultations were intended to help the AU better understand the political and security situation in South Sudan and gather the opposition’s views on challenges facing the country and possible pathways to peace.
Lual said the talks followed earlier consultations held by Kikwete in Juba, where he met government officials and political parties.
“After these meetings, AU envoy Kikwete will have the full picture on how to address the challenges of South Sudan and how best he can approach issues of peace in South Sudan,” Lual said.
Gai Mayen Luk, a senior SPLM-IO member, said the group had sent two representatives to attend the meetings after what he described as an initial misunderstanding over the invitation was resolved.
“We have sent Hon. Gatluak Gabriel Deng and Hon. Gatluak Michael. They are already in Dar es Salaam for the consultative meetings,” Mayen said.
A PCCA member, who declined to be named, confirmed the group had met Kikwete on Thursday and briefed him on challenges surrounding implementation of previous peace agreements.
The official said the group urged the AU to mobilise regional and international support for an inclusive dialogue process and ensure accountability for violations of peace agreements.
“If the AU does not have a strong voice, peace will not prevail in South Sudan,” he said.
Kikwete visited Juba in early April on a three-day fact finding mission during which he met President Salva Kiir and political parties based in the capital.
Kikwete, Tanzania’s fourth president from 2005 to 2015, was appointed in March by the African Union chairperson as High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, with a special mandate on South Sudan.
The consultations fall under the African Union’s Ad Hoc High-Level Committee on South Sudan, known as the C5, which supports implementation of the 2018 peace agreement and promotes inclusive dialogue ahead of elections.
In February, the C5 called for measures including elections in December 2026, the release of detainees, particularly Machar, inclusive dialogue among parties and a ceasefire.
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