President William Ruto has appointed former army commander Lazarus Sumbeiywo as the Chief Mediator for the South Sudan Mediation Peace Process.
He also appointed Ambassador Mohammed Ali Guyo as the Assistant Mediator.
In a Thursday, March 28 statement, the head of state noted that Sumbeiywo’s appointment came following the request of South Sudan president Salva Kiir.
The appointment comes ahead of the country’s elections slated for December this year with a view to facilitating talks to achieve consensus and peace ahead of the scheduled elections.
Also, the talks will be held in Nairobi and will involve a variety of stakeholders, including holdout opposition groups organized under the rubric of South Sudan Opposition Alliance, religious groups, and civil society.
“In appointing the two Kenyans, President Ruto said elections in South Sudan are scheduled by December this year and his South Sudanese counterpart had, therefore, requested him to facilitate talks in Nairobi with opposition groups and other sections of society in that country,” reads part of the statement.
Also Read: Pope to Meet War Victims on South Sudan Peace Pilgrimage
President Ruto on Aim of the Talks
Further, Ruto noted that the talks aim at achieving “consensus and peace towards the conduct of the election”.
While defending the appointment, the head of state said he picked Sumbeiywo as Chief Mediator due to his experience in the South Sudan peace process nearly 20 years ago.
“Based on your wealth of experience and invaluable contribution in negotiating and the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, I appoint you as the Chief Mediator from April 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025,” he said.
In addition, President Ruto noted that Mr. Sumbeiywo would provide the day-to-day leadership of the South Sudan Mediation Peace Process on his behalf”.
Also Read: Kenya Clears Air on Missing South Sudan Activist After Being Implicated
“He is also expected to facilitate negotiations and interaction among the parties to achieve peace and political stability in South Sudan,” the statement further reads.
Sumbeiywo will report directly to President Ruto and provide monthly reports.
In addition, he will also provide periodic updates to all stakeholders including the Advisory Panel, Partners Forum and Stakeholders Forum, among others.
