Gen. Paul Malong Awan, the leader of the South Sudan United Front - Credit: Citizen TV/Kenya

The South Sudan United Front led by General Paul Malong has welcomed the Kenya peace mediation role as suggested by President Salva Kiir.

On Tuesday, the Presidential Affairs Minister said President Kiir asked the Kenyan President to mediate peace between the government and the dissidents.

Bangasi Joseph Bakasoro hoped the process would begin as soon as possible to allow the return of the groups before the planned general elections.

According to Bakasoro, the President wanted the holdout groups to participate in the 2024 democratic process.

The spokesperson of the South Sudan United Front says the group is ready to be mediated by the Kenyan government, so long as the government of South Sudan will commit to those talks.

Garang Malual confirmed this to Eye Radio.

“We will be ready for the talks in Kenya if the Kenyan government accepts it to mediate between us and the government, we will be able to talk with the government here,” said Malual.