The government has announced the resumption of Rome peace talks with the Non-Signatory alliance, months after pulling out of the negotiations mediated by the Sant’Egidio Community.
Presidential Affairs Minister Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin disclosed the government’s willingness to resume the political engagement on Saturday, as the country prepares to receive Pope Francis and other global church leaders.
“The president has lifted the restriction on Rome peace talk with hold-out groups of Thomas Cirilo, Pagan Amum and Paul Malong,” said Dr. Marial while touring the streets where the delegation of the pontiff will visit or pass through.
Minister Marial did not clarify when the talks will actually resume.
The Rome peace initiative begun with the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between the government and opposition groups in January 2020, and subsequent negotiations on the root causes of political violence in the country.
However, the talks were frustrated in November 2022, when the government suspended its participation.
In a previous letter addressed to the Secretary General of Sant Egidio in Rome, Italy, the Minister of Presidential Affairs said this group is using these talks to buy time as they prepare for war.
The Sant’Egidio community has maintained that its mediation effort is complementary to the efforts of the IGAD to achieve peace in South Sudan, and that it would continue to engage the parties to find common ground and return to the talks.