Saint Egidio community delegation led by Professor Andrea Bartholi on Tuesday consulted President Salva Kiir Mayardit in Juba on the resumption of Rome peace initiative between the government and the opposition groups.
Professor Bartholi said Saint Egidio would engage with all stakeholders to finalize terms for inclusive peace in South Sudan.
He expressed their commitment to continue with all members engaging and that Rome initiative is clearly part of building a peaceful and stable country.
Minister in the Office of the President, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin, said the delegation thanked President Kiir for the spirit of encouraging the initiative for inclusive peace in South Sudan.
He said the president reiterated his gratitude to the Community of Saint Egidio for the support and leadership it has been showing since the commencement of the negotiations between the government and the non-signatory opposition groups to make the peace process more inclusive.
“They had a long conversation in how the process of Rome peace initiative with the non-signatories is going to proceed. The two members of Saint Egidio thanked the president for lifting the stoppage of the peace talk previously”, Minister Marial noted.
Last year, President Salva Kiir has announced the resumption of the Rome peace talks with the holdout groups nearly three months after he indefinitely suspended the peace process.
The suspension followed August 16 attack along the Juba-Nimule highway which claimed the lives of two Catholic Sisters, although no group has claimed responsibility.
He accused the South Sudan Opposition Movement Alliance, especially the National Salvation Front led by General Thomas Cirillo of violating the Rome Declaration to cease hostilities in early 2020.
The Saint Egidio led mediation aims to support an inclusive peace agreement in South Sudan by persuading the hold-out groups to join the Revitalized Peace Deal signed in September 2018.