Raila returns after special meeting with South Sudan's Salva Kiir

Kenya’s special envoy to South Sudan, Raila Odinga, returned to the country on Saturday after a high-stakes meeting with South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir, following the arrest of Vice President Riek Machar.

After the discussions, Odinga traveled to Entebbe, where he briefed Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on the escalating tensions in South Sudan.

His diplomatic efforts aim to restore peace between President Kiir and Vice President Machar and prevent a resurgence of violence in the country.

However, Odinga’s request to meet Machar, who remains under house arrest alongside his wife, was denied. 

“I had a lengthy discussion with President Salva Kiir about the ongoing situation. He mentioned the killing of a general in Upper Nile, alongside several others, which is currently under investigation," said Odinga.

“I requested to speak with Dr. Machar, but they were unable to allow me to meet him. Instead, they directed me to meet with President Museveni, which I did. From Juba, I then proceeded to Entebbe."

Odinga is now set to brief IGAD leaders, including Kenya’s President William Ruto, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and Djibouti’s President Ismail Guelleh, as he seeks a unified regional strategy to resolve the escalating conflict between Salva Kiir and Riek Machar before tensions spiral further.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres and IGAD’s executive secretary, Workneh Gebeyehu, have voiced deep concern over the growing unrest in South Sudan, urging urgent diplomatic intervention.

“I am pleased that the United Nations is raising its voice on this issue. It certainly needs international attention," he added.

South Sudan government spokesperson Michael Makuei emphasized that Vice President Riek Machar will remain under house arrest due to his alleged involvement in the killings of eleven people in the Nasir region.

Meanwhile, leaders of Machar’s SPLM-IO faction are urging President Salva Kiir to order his immediate release, further intensifying the political standoff.