South Sudan’s government and opposition begin peace talks in Kenya

Peace talks involving South Sudan’s government and opposition representatives begun in Kenya’s capital Nairobi on Thursday.

The talks are between the government and rebel opposition groups that were not part of an 2018 agreement that ended a five-year civil war.

Some of the issues in the 2018 agreement, including a unified security force, have remained outstanding.

The opposition had called for a fresh round of talks ahead of the elections due in December, as part of a move to guarantee transparent elections.

Several African presidents including Salva Kiir of South Sudan, Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi, Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema, Namibia’s Nangolo Mbumba and Faustin-Archange Touadera of the Central African Republic are attending the talks. They called for the end to the conflict in South Sudan which has crippled the country’s economy for many years.

The host, Kenyan President William Ruto, said he was keen on the inclusive and home-grown mediation to end the conflict.