South Sudan Crisis: Raila to lead talks aimed at de-escalating tensions

Following his appointment by President William Ruto as Kenya’s Special Envoy to South Sudan, former Prime Raila Odinga is scheduled to travel to South Sudan.

According to Citizen Digital, the ODM chief was set to leave the country on Friday, March 28, to lead peace talks aimed at de-escalating tensions in the conflict-hit nation.

The Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'Oei confirmed that President Ruto had requested former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to be his special envoy to South Sudan.

"The special envoy is presently engaged with the escalating situation in our sisterly country, including traveling to Juba to convey the President’s message to President Kiir and Vice President Machar as well as to critical stakeholders in Juba," said the PS.

The move follows escalating tensions in Africa's newest nation following the arrest of the country's First Vice President, Riek Machar.

The appointment came shortly after President Ruto held discussions with South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

During the phone call, President Ruto stated that he would be dispatching a special envoy to South Sudan to engage in dialogue, seek to de-escalate the conflict.

"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 announced.

“After consultations with President Museveni and Prime Minister Abiy, I am sending a special envoy to South Sudan to engage, try to de-escalate, and brief us back.”

Odinga will join a team of specialised police officers sent by the National Police Service (NPS) as peace envoys to South Sudan.

The National Police Service (NPS) announced on Thursday afternoon that officers from the Kenya Police Service (KPS), Administration Police Service (APS), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have been assigned specialized roles to support peacekeeping efforts in the volatile South Sudan.

Meanwhile, the African Union revealed yesterday that it would send the AU Panel of the Wise to Juba, the capital of South Sudan, as part of ongoing efforts to ease tensions in the country.

On Wednesday, March 26, security officers stormed the residence of Machar, disarmed his bodyguards, and took him into custody.

His wife, Angela Teny, who serves as the Interior and Coordination Minister, was also arrested and detained alongside him.

His arrest has sparked international criticism, with the United States among the first nations to demand his immediate release.