Kenya Committed to Stabilisation of South Sudan

Speaking during the opening session of the IGAD Council of Ministers (COM) Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Hon. Ababu Namwamba expressed the Government of Kenya’s message of goodwill towards the peace process.
Hon. Namwamba
emphasized that South Sudan remains a strategic partner for Kenya, based on matters of mutual interest between the two countries and the region at large.

Kenya has reaffirmed its commitment to support the ongoing efforts towards achieving lasting peace in South Sudan.

Speaking during the opening session of the IGAD Council of Ministers (COM) - Intensive Interlinked Consultations (IIC) ahead of the High-Level Revitalization Forum (HRLF) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia today, Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Hon. Ababu Namwamba expressed the Government of Kenya’s message of goodwill towards the peace process. He emphasized that the ultimate responsibility on the situation in South Sudan rests in the hands of the leaders and the people of South Sudan.

The IGAD Council of Ministers - IIC aims at mediating between the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU), the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement /Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) on the outstanding issues identified at the end of the last session of the forum.

The main objectives of the IIC are to intensify its engagement with the opposing Parties in order to understand their positions and interests, explore potential comprise areas, and narrow the differences between them on key outstanding issues.

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The CAS emphasized that South Sudan remains a strategic partner for Kenya, based on matters of mutual interest between the two countries and the region at large.

“If South Sudan hurts, the whole region hurts, the CAS stressed, urging the parties to stay focused on an agenda of inclusivity, goodwill and commitment. In addition, he persuaded the warring parties to make necessary comprises and sacrifices to reach a positive conclusion in order to ensure that dreams of the people of South Sudan are realised."

Hon. Namwamba also advised the parties to build trust and confidence among themselves since they are one people with a shared history, heritage and dreams.

The first round of the shuttle diplomacy was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 13th -16th April 2018, while the second round was held in Juba from 28th April to 1st May 2018. The High-level Revitalization Forum (HLRF) is scheduled to resume in Addis Ababa Ethiopia from 17 to 21, May 2018.