President William Ruto has appointed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as Kenya’s special envoy to South Sudan in response to the recent arrest of the country’s First Vice President, Riek Machar.
Odinga is scheduled to travel to South Sudan on Friday, March 28, to lead peace talks aimed at preventing further instability in the conflict-ridden nation.
His appointment comes shortly after President Ruto held discussions with South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
During a phone call with the three leaders, President Ruto expressed concern over the situation and confirmed that he would be dispatching a special envoy to engage with key stakeholders, assess the crisis, and report back.
“I had a conversation with President Salva Kiir regarding the circumstances surrounding the arrest and detention of First Vice President Riek Machar in South Sudan,” Ruto stated.
“After consultations with President Museveni and Prime Minister Abiy, I have decided to send a special envoy to South Sudan to initiate dialogue, help ease tensions, and provide us with a comprehensive briefing,” he added.
In addition to Odinga’s appointment, the National Police Service (NPS) has deployed a contingent of highly trained officers to South Sudan to support peace efforts.
According to a statement released on Thursday afternoon, the officers are drawn from the Kenya Police Service (KPS), the Administration Police Service (APS), and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
They will undertake critical roles in maintaining peace and stability, in line with international policing standards.
At the same time, the African Union has announced that it will be sending the AU Panel of the Wise to Juba, the capital of South Sudan, as part of a broader strategy to defuse tensions and promote dialogue.
The crisis escalated after Riek Machar was arrested on Wednesday, March 26, when a team of heavily armed security personnel stormed his residence in Juba.
The officers disarmed his security detail and took him into custody, along with his wife, Angela Teny, who serves as South Sudan’s Interior and Coordination Minister.
Machar’s arrest has triggered widespread condemnation from the international community, with the United States being among the first nations to demand his immediate release.
Many global leaders and organizations have also expressed deep concern over the situation, calling for urgent diplomatic interventions to prevent further unrest in South Sudan.
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