NAIROBI, Sept. 2 (Xinhua) -- Representatives of civil society organizations from Kenya and South Sudan on Monday pledged support toward the ongoing peace talks in Nairobi, the Kenyan capital, aiming to bring lasting stability to the world's youngest country.

The Nairobi peace talks, also known as the Tumaini (literally meaning hope in Swahili) Initiative, have been taking place since May, bringing together members of South Sudan's Transitional Government of National Unity, opposition groups, and civil society.

Parties to the Tumaini Initiative have signed a pact, reiterating their commitment toward durable peace, stability, and inclusive growth in South Sudan, which descended into civil strife in December 2013.

Rajab Mohandis, a delegate to the Nairobi peace talks and representative of the People's Coalition for Civil Action, a civil society organization, said South Sudan deserves a new dawn characterized by cohesion, inclusivity, and long-term growth after enduring more than a decade of civil strife.

"Peace in South Sudan is an urgent demand for all our citizens," said Mohandis, who has a long history of advocating for democracy and human rights in South Sudan, told journalists in Nairobi. "The ultimate objective of the Tumaini Initiative should be to lay the foundation for a stable, just, peaceful, and prosperous South Sudan for the present and future generations."

South Sudan President Salva Kiir, in December 2023, requested his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto to assume the lead role in mediating peace talks, taking over from the community of Sant'Egidio in Rome, Italy.

Nagomoro Bridget, a woman representative at the Nairobi talks, said their success will be hinged on goodwill, mutual trust, sincerity, and the spirit of compromise by all parties.

According to Nagomoro Bridget, women, children and youth have borne the brunt of South Sudan's conflict, hence their proactive role in the Nairobi talks is geared toward cessation of hostilities, reforms and inclusive growth in the country.

Leocadia Gaudencia, the founder of Ustawi Kenya, a good governance lobby, suggested the ongoing Nairobi talks should birth a new constitution for South Sudan, besides promoting accountable governance and strengthening institutions.

Gaudencia said Kenyan civil society is ready to offer its expertise in peace negotiations, constitutional reforms, electioneering, and strengthening governance to help South Sudan embark on the journey of renewal. Enditem

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