President Ruto Sends Raila to South Sudan Amid Crisis Following VP Riek Machar’s Arrest
Kenya’s former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, has been appointed as a special envoy by President William Ruto to mediate the escalating crisis in South Sudan. This follows the arrest of South Sudan’s First Vice President and opposition leader, Riek Machar, alongside his wife, Angelina Teny, who serves as the country’s Interior Minister.
Odinga is set to depart for Juba on Friday as part of urgent efforts to prevent the country from slipping into another civil war. His appointment comes as tensions between Machar’s faction, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO), and President Salva Kiir’s government reach a boiling point.
Machar’s Arrest Sparks International Concern
The dramatic arrest of Machar and his wife on Wednesday was met with immediate concern from the international community. Reports indicate that security forces loyal to President Kiir had surrounded Machar’s residence for days before a convoy of 20 heavily armed vehicles stormed the premises. According to Machar’s Press Secretary, Puok Both Baluang, and SPLM-IO Deputy Party Leader, Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, the security team disarmed Machar’s bodyguards and presented an unclear arrest warrant before placing the opposition leader and his wife under house arrest.
The SPLM-IO has condemned the move as a direct violation of the 2018 Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, which was intended to stabilize the fragile nation. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) warned that the country now stands “on the brink of relapsing into widespread conflict.”
Regional and International Reactions
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which brokered the 2018 peace deal, expressed deep concern, warning that the current trajectory could lead to the collapse of the transitional process and plunge the country into full-scale war.
The United States Bureau of African Affairs urged President Kiir to reverse Machar’s detention, emphasizing the need to uphold the peace agreement.
Kenya Steps In to Mediate
Given Kenya’s historical role in peace negotiations in South Sudan, President Ruto wasted no time in intervening. Announcing his decision on social media, he stated:
“Had a phone call with President Salva Kiir on the situation leading to the arrest and detention of 1st Vice President Riek Machar in South Sudan. After consultations with President Museveni and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, I am sending a special envoy to South Sudan to engage, try to de-escalate, and brief us back.”
Odinga’s selection as a mediator underscores Kenya’s continued commitment to South Sudan’s stability. His diplomatic experience and long-standing involvement in African peace processes make him a strong candidate for the high-stakes negotiation.
African Union Joins Mediation Efforts
The African Union has also stepped in, with AU Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf announcing the deployment of the AU Panel of the Wise. The panel, chaired by Kenya’s retired Justice Effie Owuor, will work alongside Odinga in efforts to defuse tensions and push for a diplomatic resolution.
What Next for South Sudan?
With international and regional pressure mounting, all eyes are on Juba as diplomatic efforts unfold. Whether Machar’s detention will be lifted and meaningful dialogue reestablished remains uncertain. However, Kenya’s proactive stance and Odinga’s involvement mark a significant step toward preventing further instability in South Sudan.
In other news: Inside President Ruto’s Call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
President Ruto Sends Raila to South Sudan Amid Crisis Following VP Riek Machar’s Arrest