South Sudan President Salva Kiir on Tuesday through the Minister of Presidential Affairs Bangasi Joseph Bakasoro asked President William Ruto to mediate between the government and the non-signatories to the 2018 peace agreement.

According to Bakasoro who was speaking to Eye Radio, a South Sudan media outlet, the move is seen as a strategic play in efforts to bring peace to the country.

The President of the Republic, His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, after long consultations with some individuals, I think has accepted and agreed to ask his brother and his colleague and our neighbour, His Excellency William to host and mediate peace between the government of South Sudan and the holdout group called SOMMA in Nairobi,” he told the media.

Speaking during the interview, Bakasoro remarked that President Kiir was hoping that Ruto would begin the process soon. The peace talks, the government expects will pave the way for peaceful elections scheduled for 2024.