Tut Gatluak, the Chairperson of the Transitional National Committee, and also Presidential Advisor on Security - Courtesy

The presidential advisor of security affairs is calling on the holdout groups to join the peace process, as the unity government continues with its implementation.

Tut Gatluak says for South Sudan to be fully in lasting peace, all those who did not sign the peace deal, should be part of the current peace process.

Former army generals, Paul Malong and Thomas Cirillo are the hold-out leaders yet to sign peace with the government.

Thomas Cirilo is the leader of the South Sudan National Salvation Front, while Paul Malong is the leader of the South Sudan United front/Army ( SSUF/A).

The South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance also includes Pagan Amum of the Real SPLM among others.

Last year, President Kiir announced the resumption of the Rome peace talks with the holdout groups.

The talks are mediated by the Sant’Egidio Catholic community in Italy.

They seek to include the holdout opposition groups in the revitalized peace process.

Tut, who is also the head of the National Transitional Committee, appealed to holdout groups to join the peace wagon for South Sudan to have stability.

He made the remarks in Juba on Wednesday, during a briefing to the diplomatic corps in the country.

“We appeal to all our brothers who are outside the agreement and outside South Sudan to join as soon as possible so that South Sudan can be stable and enjoy peace, and for the sake of development and stability in the Republic of South Sudan,” Tut Gatluak said.

“We are people who are always considered to like wars; May the Almighty God help us to be people of peace, not people of wars.”

The Saint-Egidio-led mediation is aimed at supporting an inclusive peace agreement in South Sudan by persuading the hold-out group to join the revitalized peace deal signed in September 2018.