Raila Odinga, Kenya’s former Prime Minister and special envoy of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), recently visited South Sudan to mediate escalating tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. The crisis intensified following Machar’s arrest on March 26, raising concerns about a potential return to civil war.
During his visit to Juba, Odinga held extensive discussions with President Kiir, who informed him about the killing of a general and several others in Upper Nile State, which led to Machar’s detention. Odinga’s request to meet with Machar was denied, and he was advised to confer with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni instead.
Following his meetings, Odinga traveled to Entebbe, Uganda, to brief President Museveni on the situation. He emphasized the need for international attention to prevent further escalation and expressed cautious optimism about achieving a peaceful resolution.
Odinga is expected to update regional leaders, including Kenyan President William Ruto, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and Djibouti’s President Ismail Guelleh, on his findings and propose a roadmap toward sustainable peace in South Sudan.
