South Sudan President Salva Kiir has commended the spirit with which the Kenyan-led peace process was progressing, citing a need for peace and stability to be restored so that economic recovery and development.

In a statement broadcast on the state-owned television (SSBC), South Sudan’ Information minister, Micheal Makuei Lueth said President Kiir met and held talks with the government delegation and the opposition, civil society organizations, faith-based groups participating in the Tumaini peace process in Nairobi, Kenya.

“His Excellency President Salva Kiir was in Nairobi as part of the endorsement of the former prime minister, Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga as a candidate for the Chairperson of the African Union Commission. And since his excellency the president of the Republic of South Sudan is also the chairman of the Eastern African community, he attended the endorsement in his capacity as the chairman of the region which has now nominated the candidature of Honorable Raila Odinga. He also attended as the president of one of the countries in the region whose leaders also attended,” explained Makuei.

He added, “It was therefore an opportunity for the president to meet and be briefed by our delegations on the Tumaini initiative. He met with our delegation, also met with the opposition and the civil society organizations as well as members of the faith-based groups”.

The minister said the South Sudanese leader further appreciated the progress of the talks and pledged that he would take the responsibility to discuss with the signatories to the peace agreement in Juba and to agree on the way forward.

Lual Deng Marach, spokesman of the South Sudan opposition alliance described the decision of President Kiir to visit and hold talks with them as a “historically important gesture”, saying it would add impetus to the process in the course of the process.

Marach said President Kiir had shown strong interest in promoting peace ahead of anything else to foster lasting peace and move the country forward toward stability and prosperity.

He emphasized that national unity and a shared commitment to peace must be the guiding principles in the ongoing negotiations to secure a brighter future for all South Sudanese.

The President made the remarks earlier today during a crucial meeting that brought the participation of both government and opposition delegations, including the civil society representatives in Nairobi. The mediation team, led by seasoned mediator General Lazarus Sumbeiywo, facilitated the discussions between the government delegation and the holdout opposition groups.

The peace talks, which have been ongoing in the Kenyan capital for three months, have seen promising and enormous developments, according to officials closely involved in the process since its inception earlier this year. (ST)