SSOMA, IGAD Special Envoy conclude two-day talks in Rome
ROME (March 20, 2025) — A two-day consultative meeting between the South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) and the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan concluded on Wednesday in Rome, marking a step forward in renewed efforts for peace.
Facilitated by the Community of Sant’Egidio, the talks reaffirmed SSOMA’s commitment to engaging with the Government of South Sudan to achieve an inclusive and sustainable peace. Kenyan Ambassador to Italy, H.E. Fredrick Matwang’a, also attended the discussions.
SSOMA, represented by General Thomas Cirillo Swaka of the National Salvation Front (NAS), Alex Yata of the South Sudan Movement for Change (SSMC), and Emmanuel Ajawin of the National Democratic Movement-Patriotic Front (NDM-PF), agreed to a pre-consultative meeting with the government. The meeting, to be facilitated by IGAD and Sant’Egidio, aims to pave the way for meaningful negotiations.
SSOMA has long argued that any peace process must be comprehensive and address the root causes of South Sudan’s conflict, including governance and security sector reforms. The alliance previously opted out of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement (R-ARCSS), citing concerns over its implementation and exclusivity.
Similarly, SSOMA also rejected participation in the Tumaini Initiative, stating that the process lacks neutrality and was designed to sideline genuine negotiations. The opposition alliance argued that the initiative, spearheaded by Kenya, does not address critical issues such as governance failures, security sector reforms, and accountability for war crimes. SSOMA maintains that only an inclusive, transparent, and impartial mediation process can lead to lasting peace in South Sudan.
While no date has been set for the pre-consultative meeting, sources indicate that IGAD and Sant’Egidio are working to expedite the process.
South Sudan has remained politically fragile since gaining independence in 2011, with multiple peace deals failing to bring lasting stability. The latest development offers a potential breakthrough in efforts to resolve the country’s long-running conflict.
###
Related
