President William Ruto will today, Wednesday, November 6, 2024, leave the country for Juba, South Sudan.

State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed in a press statement issued on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, said President Ruto’s trip to Juba is an official visit aimed at consolidating the South Sudanese political transition through the Tumaini Peace Consensus.

Ruto and Kiir’s commitment

The visit, Hussein said, comes after South Sudan President Salva Kiir and President Ruto reaffirmed their commitment to shared growth, regional cooperation, and sustainable development.

The two leaders are said to have reaffirmed their commitment when Kiir visited Kenya on August 27, 2024, during the launch of Kenya’s African Union Commission candidature of Raila Odinga.

“President William Ruto departs for Juba, South Sudan, today for an official visit aimed at consolidating the South Sudanese political transition through the Tumaini Peace Consensus.

“This visit follows President Salva Kiir’s recent trip to Nairobi on August 27, 2024, where he attended the launch of Kenya’s African Union Commission candidacy. During that visit, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to shared growth, regional cooperation, and sustainable development,” the statement reads in part.

The Tumaini initiative, proposed by President Kiir and supported by Kenya and several development partners, represents a progressive model for inclusive peace-building.

Over the past six months, the initiative has evolved through intensive dialogue with key South Sudanese stakeholders, establishing a foundation for lasting peace in the region.

LAPSSET and AU talks

Hussein Mohamed in his statement revealed some of the details of the discussions between Ruto and Kiir during his official trip to Juba.

The discussions, Mohamed said, will among other things, address the LAPSSET Corridor and matters related to the African Union.

“Discussions will also address strategic regional infrastructure projects, including the LAPSSET Corridor. This transformative project aims to boost trade by providing seamless connectivity between South Sudan and the Indian Ocean. Completion of essential road links between the two countries is expected to improve connectivity, reduce costs, and stimulate local economies, aligning with the vision of a prosperous and interconnected East Africa,” State House stated.

“President Ruto and President Kiir will also discuss matters related to the African Union. During the August 27 launch of Kenya’s African Union Commission Chairmanship candidacy, President Kiir voiced his support for Kenya’s candidate, underscoring the collaborative spirit between Kenya and South Sudan within the African Union framework.”

Tumaini peace initiative

South Sudan Presidential Press Secretary Lily Martin Manyiel Ayuel had on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, announced that the two presidents will meet to discuss the achievements of the Tumaini Peace Initiative.

Tumaini Peace Initiative, which was launched on May 9, 2024, in Nairobi, is a high-level mediation for the conflict in South Sudan.

It incorporates all the holdout groups that have not signed the 2018 R-ARCSS (Revitalised Agreement on Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan).

Ruto, Kiir, and former Kenyan Army Commander and Chief Mediator Major-Gen Lazarus Sumbeiywo are the lead mediators.

“President Ruto will be coming tomorrow (Wednesday) upon the invitation of His Excellency President Salva Kiir Mayardit,” Ayuel told a press conference.