President Ruto suspends Nairobi-led South Sudan peace talks

President William Ruto has announced the suspension of the ongoing mediation talks between the South Sudan government and the country’s opposition hold-out group.

In a statement on X on Thursday, President Ruto revealed that he had met with the opposition delegation from South Sudan and, at the request of the South Sudanese government, agreed to temporarily pause the mediation efforts until March 2025.

According to Ruto, the temporary break will allow for important consultations to take place, which will help determine the next steps in the peace process.

“Met the Opposition Hold-Out Group of South Sudan and agreed, at the request of the South Sudan Government delegation, that the mediation process that has been going on in Nairobi adjourns until March 2025 to facilitate consultations that will inform the way forward,” said Ruto.

“At the request of President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan, Kenya has been facilitating the mediation process for the past 11 months in an effort to resolve the political stalemate that has resulted in a serious humanitarian situation and difficult security challenges.”

The opposition delegation was led by General Pagan Amum, and other notable members including General Paul Malong, General Stephen Buoy, General Mario Lada, Mr. Lual Dau, and Dr. Cirinho Hiteng.

Ruto’s statement was followed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of Sudan, the Political Civil and Social forces, alongside the Armed Struggle Movements, cancelling a press conference in Nairobi that was intended to announce the creation of the Sudan Founding Alliance (TASIS), a parallel government.

On Thursday, Kenya defended its decision to host the RSF in Nairobi despite backlash from the Sudan government.

The RSF, a paramilitary group fighting against the Sudanese army for control, held an event in Nairobi on Tuesday.

The talks centered around the formation of a parallel government in RSF-controlled areas, a move that angered the Sudanese government, which argued that Kenya violated its sovereignty by interfering in its internal affairs.

In a statement on Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi stated that Kenya's actions were in line with its broader role in peace negotiations and its commitment to supporting Sudan in finding a resolution to its ongoing political crisis.