SSOMA sets peace terms as AU leaders urge inclusive dialogue in South Sudan
The South Sudan Opposition Movements Alliance (SSOMA) has laid out a firm position on the future of peace efforts in South Sudan, insisting that only a genuine and inclusive political process addressing the root causes of conflict can deliver lasting stability.
In a formal response to the Kenya-led Tumaini peace initiative, the alliance said it remains committed to a just and sustainable peace that ensures “justice, dignity, security and sovereignty” for South Sudanese, but warned that current proposals risk repeating failed political arrangements that have prolonged the country’s crisis.
SSOMA said the Tumaini framework was developed without meaningful consultation with South Sudanese stakeholders, undermining the principle that peace must be owned by the people. It argued the process predetermines outcomes, restricts genuine negotiations and prioritises elections while avoiding structural issues such as governance failure, security reform and political exclusion.
The alliance maintains that elections held under conditions of conflict, displacement and institutional collapse would only legitimise the status quo rather than produce peace. It is calling instead for broad national consultations followed by comprehensive negotiations addressing the root causes of the conflict and leading to a credible peace agreement with clear guarantees and accountability mechanisms. According to SSOMA, elections should be the outcome of peace, not a substitute for it.
SSOMA’s position has also drawn praise and support from many South Sudanese both inside the country and in the diaspora, who have welcomed the alliance’s insistence on a genuine and inclusive peace process. Supporters say the stance reflects widespread public frustration with repeated political arrangements that have failed to deliver stability and meaningful reform in South Sudan. Some South Sudanese political voices and civil society actors have urged other opposition groups to adopt a similar position to that of the SSOMA, arguing that a unified demand for credible negotiations is necessary to achieve lasting peace.
The position comes as regional leaders increasingly emphasise similar principles. At a recent summit of the AU Committee of Five, chaired by Cyril Ramaphosa, African heads of state called for inclusive dialogue and urged leaders to listen to the people of South Sudan, warning that decisions taken in the coming months will determine whether the country moves toward durable peace or renewed instability.
The meeting underscored the role of African-led mediation through the African Union and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, stressing the need for credible political processes and broad participation — principles that closely mirror SSOMA’s demands for legitimacy and national ownership.
Despite these regional calls, the government of Salva Kiir continues to prioritise elections and the implementation of the 2018 Revitalised Peace Agreement as the central framework for transition.
Critics say the agreement has largely failed in practice. More than seven years after its signing, key provisions remain unimplemented, including security arrangements, institutional reforms and accountability mechanisms. Opposition actors argue that the continued reliance on the agreement reflects an effort to preserve political control rather than resolve the country’s underlying crisis.
The Kenya-led Tumaini Initiative, spearheaded by William Ruto, has further exposed divisions over the direction of the peace process. While presented as a pathway toward dialogue, SSOMA says the initiative primarily seeks to revive existing arrangements rather than address the structural causes of conflict, warning that externally driven frameworks risk perpetuating cycles of instability.
The growing convergence between SSOMA’s position and regional calls for inclusive dialogue highlights widening concern over the direction of South Sudan’s political transition and underscores mounting pressure for a credible and comprehensive peace process.
Related
South Sudan opposition group rejects Kenya-led peace framework – Radio Tamazuj
South Sudan Opposition Rejects Kenya-Led Peace Talks, Sets Pre-Conditions – Kenyans.co.ke
