Cabinet Minister Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro speaks to the media in Juba. (Photo: Office of the President/Facebook).

The Government Rapporteur to the Tumaini Initiative has suggested the inclusion of all armed groups in the Kenya-led peace process in order to comprehensively eliminate all conflicts in South Sudan.

Dr. Martin Elia Lomuro addressed media at the end of an extraordinary presidency meeting on Friday to discuss progress and challenges faced during the peace talks expected to resume on January 6.

He disclosed that Kenyan mediators have asked the transitional government’s negotiating team to return to Nairobi for the final round of the process.

“Dr. Lomuro reiterated the commitment of the government for inclusivity, adding that all armed groups should join the Tumaini Initiative so that this mechanism can comprehensively deal with and eliminate all conflict expressions in the country,” said a statement from the president’s office.

Several armed groups and political factions are neither part of the 2018 peace accord nor the ongoing Tumaini process.

They include National Salvation Front (NAS) factions, Kitgwang of Gen. Simon Gatwech and People’s Freedom Movement led by a former comedian.

On multiple occasions, President Kiir has called on the holdout groups to cease conflicts and rejoin his unity government in building lasting peace in the country.

The cabinet minister added that the Tumaini Initiative – aimed at bringing on board opposition groups – is crucial for lasting peace in South Sudan by conforming its objectives into the 2018 peace deal.

On December 14, the Nairobi peace talks reached a deadlock and the government delegation announced taking a brief break for consultations with leadership in Juba, while clarifying that the initiative had not collapsed.

In his annual address, President Kiir called on parties to the Tumaini Initiative to embrace compromise on positions in order to successfully conclude the peace process.

He called on “our brothers in the opposition to show patriotism and put the interest our country first.”

“We are in a transitional government made up of parties 10 the agreement. I do not foresee it just to leave any party behind, nor isolate some of the existing parties to the agreement,” Kiir said.

“I implore us to compromise, to accommodate all the parties for the time has come where leadership is needed more than politics. Politics is casted on positions seeking and self-interest; but leadership is about vision for a better tomorrow, for the next generation.”