Raila says confident of de-escalation after 6-hour stop in Juba » Capital News
NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 27 — Kenya’s Special Envoy to South Sudan, Raila Odinga, has expressed optimism about a resolution of the political conflict in the country following discussions with President Salva Kiir in Juba.
Odinga, who visited South Sudan on an Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) mission, described his talks with Kiir as “detailed and fruitful,” focusing on the country’s ongoing political situation.
“Earlier today, on an IGAD mission, I had a detailed and fruitful discussion with my brother, H.E. President Salva Kiir, in Juba, South Sudan, regarding the political situation in the country. I am encouraged by the possibility of a resolution to the conflict,” Odinga stated.
He further noted that he would brief regional leaders, including Kenyan President William Ruto, on the outcomes of his mission and a potential roadmap for sustainable peace and stability in South Sudan.
Following his engagement in Juba on Friday, Odinga proceeded to Uganda, where he met with President Yoweri Museveni in Entebbe to consolidate regional efforts toward peace in South Sudan.
“Landed in Entebbe, Uganda, for a briefing session with H.E. President Yoweri Museveni following my fact-finding mission on the political situation in South Sudan. I remain hopeful that a peaceful way out of the political uncertainty in South Sudan is possible, and further escalation can be avoided,” Odinga remarked.
IGAD, in a statement, reaffirmed its commitment to supporting South Sudan’s peace process.
Ruto’s Special Envoy
Odinga’s visit to Juba came just hours after President William Ruto announced plans to dispatch a special envoy to South Sudan in an effort to ease rising tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar.
Ruto revealed that he had spoken with Kiir about the situation that led to Machar’s arrest and detention.
He also noted that his decision followed consultations with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
“I had a phone call with President Salva Kiir on the situation leading to the arrest and detention of First Vice President Riek Machar in South Sudan,” Ruto stated on Thursday.
The political standoff between Kiir and Machar has been a persistent challenge for South Sudan, with previous peace agreements facing setbacks.
Earlier, Kenya expressed concern over reports of Machar’s detention and urged all parties to prioritize peace by upholding the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS) under IGAD’s framework.
“The Kenyan government calls on all parties in South Sudan to prioritize peace in the country by giving room to the ongoing peace agreements under the auspices of IGAD’s Revitalized Agreement,” said Musalia Mudavadi, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs.