By Yiep Joseph
Office of the President has refuted claims made by Raila Odinga, Kenya’s former Prime Minister and recently appointed envoy to South Sudan, that he was directed by President Salva Kiir to meet with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
Odinga’s visit to Juba, undertaken in his capacity as President William Ruto’s envoy, aimed to facilitate dialogue and find solutions to ongoing political standoff between Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Machar.
While in Juba, Odinga met with President Kiir but was unable to meet with Dr. Riek Machar, who is currently under house arrest or restricted movement.
Following his return to Kenya, Odinga publicly stated that President Kiir had instructed him to meet with President Yuweri Museveni of Uganda.
This statement sparked widespread speculation and commentary on social media, with many questioning the rationale behind such a directive and its potential implications for the mediation process.
Addressing Journalists on Monday, David Amour, the press secretary in the Office of the President clarified that Odinga’s meeting with Museveni was planned.
“It is essential to clarify that Hon. Odinga’s mission to Uganda was prearranged and not a directive from the Government of South Sudan,” Amour said.
“The suggestion that H. E. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit requested Hon. Odinga to meet with the President of Uganda misrepresents diplomatic norms and principles,” he added.
Amour refuted the claim by Raila Odinga that Minister of Interior, Angelina Teny who is the wife of First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, was under house arrest.
“The Government of South Sudan respectfully refutes the assertion that Hon. Angelina Teny, the Minister of Interior and spouse of the First Vice President, is under house arrest,” he added.
The Press Secretary expressed that in his capacity as a Special Envoy, Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga was set to travel to the Republic of Uganda to formally brief H. E. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on the outcomes of his discussions with President Kiir.
He added that the Government of South Sudan remains resolute in its commitment to advancing peace, stability, and security within its borders.
“We are dedicated to nurturing constructive diplomatic relations with our neighbouring countries and the broader international community. We deeply value our partnerships with the Republic of Kenya and the IGAD member states, and we urge all stakeholders to respect the Republic of South Sudan’s sovereignty and internal dynamics,” he expressed.
Recently, a South Sudanese civil society activist called on Kenyan President Dr. William Ruto to send back Raila Odinga to Juba to meet Dr. Riek Machar.
Executive Directive for the Center for Peace and Advocacy (CPA), Ter Manyang, reiterated that there is a need to meet with both President Kiir and Dr. Machar.
In his statement to the media, Manyang urged the Kenyan President to send back Raila to Juba to meet Dr. Machar in order to discuss information regarding the peace obstacles, hoping to find a solution together.
“I urge President William Ruto to resend his special envoy Raila Odinga back to South Sudan to meet with Dr. Riek Machar,” he appealed.
He expressed that Raila Odinga did not meet with Dr. Riek Machar, the First Vice President, and civil society leaders to hear from them, as it was part of the peace mission to Juba.