[Near Verbatim]
 

Honourable Dr Korir SingOei, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs
His Excellency Koul Manyang Juuk, Senior Presidential Advisor and Head of the government delegation,
General Pagan Amum, Chairman, Real SPLM,
General Paul Malong Awan, Chairman and C-in-C, South Sudan United Front/Army,
General Stephen Buoy Chairman and C-in-C, South Sudan Peoples Movement/Army,
General Maria Loku Thomas Jada, Chairman and C-in-C, National Salvation Front-Revolutionary Command Council,
Representatives of other stakeholders, including academia, youth, women, civil society, faith-based organisations,
Chief Mediator General Lazaro Sumbeiywo and all secretariat members
Secretary General of the Community of Sant'Egidio
Representative of the IGAD Special Envoy for South Sudan
Members of diplomatic corps
All distinguished delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen

It is my great pleasure today to represent SRSG and Head of UNMISS, Nicholas Haysom and attend this very important ceremony of resumption of Tumaini Initiative.

We welcome the recommencement of talks of this important initiative. I extend my deep appreciation to the Secretariat and all participants for your dedication and patience over the past seven months and for your steadfast commitment to achieving lasting peace in South Sudan.

We commend President Kiir and President Ruto for their exemplary leadership in reconvening the talks. We noted the two leaders' repeated calls to conclude the talks expeditiously, which resonate with the aspirations of the South Sudanese people.

We also commend the South Sudanese delegations who have come to these talks with a commitment of open hearts and minds. This spirit of openness is essential for the success of discussions here.

It is imperative to note that the regional and international community's confidence and support for the Tumaini Initiative can only be secured through demonstrable progress and collective commitment from all participants. More importantly, a successful conclusion to these discussions is needed for the sake of the people of South Sudan, who are eagerly awaiting the peace dividends.

We encourage the inclusive participation of all voices in the Tumaini process. To achieve durable peace and good governance, the perspectives of civil society, women, youth, persons with disabilities, traditional leaders, and faith-based groups must be integral to the Tumaini Consensus document.

As its name suggests, this Tumaini Initiative has ignited hope for the people of South Sudan that deliberate efforts are being made to secure lasting peace in South Sudan. We wish you every success in your deliberations to bring peace to South Sudan.

Lastly, as your partner for peace, I want to reaffirm UNMISS’ and United Nations’s full commitment and support for your ongoing efforts to achieve durable peace in South Sudan.
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Contact: UNMISS Spokesperson, Priyanka Chowdhury at chowdhury20@un.org(link sends e-mail) or unmiss-spokesperson@un.org