South Sudan Slams Raila in Fiery Statement – Here’s Why
Raila Odinga’s recent claims regarding his diplomatic mission in South Sudan have been refuted by the office of President Salva Kiir, adding a new dimension to the unfolding situation.
Odinga had alleged that he was denied access to South Sudan’s First Vice President Riek Machar and was instead directed to seek Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni’s approval before proceeding. However, the South Sudanese government has dismissed these assertions.
David Amuor Majur, Press Secretary to President Kiir, rejected Odinga’s statements, clarifying that the South Sudanese leader did not instruct him to consult with Museveni. He termed Odinga’s interpretation as a misrepresentation of diplomatic protocols.
Majur emphasized that Odinga’s visit to Uganda had been arranged beforehand and was not dictated by President Kiir. “The claim that President Salva Kiir Mayardit instructed Raila Odinga to meet President Museveni is a distortion of diplomatic norms. His trip to Uganda was pre-scheduled, and no one sent him there,” Majur asserted.
As the IGAD special envoy to South Sudan, Odinga was expected to update the Presidents of Uganda, Ethiopia, and Djibouti on the developments following his discussions with President Kiir. While confirming that Odinga was indeed denied access to Machar, Majur noted that President Kiir assured him of a future meeting after briefing other IGAD leaders.
“Raila requested a meeting with Machar, but President Kiir responded that the first vice president is currently under investigation. He promised that after consultations with IGAD member states, a meeting could be arranged in the future,” Majur added.
According to official documents from South Sudan, Odinga’s role was to mediate following Machar’s detention and ensure the fragile peace agreement remained intact, preventing a return to civil conflict.
Machar’s detention has raised serious concerns about the stability of the peace accord in Juba. His removal from the government structure threatens the 2018 peace deal that ended South Sudan’s brutal five-year civil war.
In response, IGAD leaders tasked Odinga with mediating the growing tensions between Kiir and Machar. Upon arriving in Juba on Friday, he met with President Kiir but was not granted permission to see Machar. Instead, he was advised to meet with Museveni.
“I sought permission to speak with Dr. Machar, but my request was denied. Instead, I was directed to meet with President Museveni, which I did. After Juba, I traveled to Entebbe,” Odinga told reporters in Kenya.
The South Sudan Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU), which places Machar as the first vice president, derives its authority from the 2018 peace agreement. Any move to sideline Machar could jeopardize the deal and destabilize the government’s legitimacy.
South Sudan, the youngest nation in the world, has struggled with internal conflict since 2013, barely two years after gaining independence from Sudan in 2011. As tensions rise, IGAD and regional stakeholders remain focused on preventing the country from slipping back into chaos.
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South Sudan Slams Raila in Fiery Statement – Here’s Why
