President Kiir Shuts Off Raila Odinga’s Request To Meet South Sudan VP Riek Machar
Raila Odinga, the former Kenyan Prime Minister, met with South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir on Friday in Juba.
However, he did not contact the incarcerated First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, who heads the armed opposition in the unity government.
Raila told reporters on Friday evening that he met with Kiir to discuss the country’s deteriorating political situation, which has been compounded by Dr Machar’s house detention.
“Earlier today, on an IGAD mission, I had a detailed and fruitful discussion with my brother, H.E President Salva Kiir, in Juba, South Sudan, regarding the political situation in the country,” he said.
Earlier today, on an IGAD mission, I had a detailed and fruitful discussion with my brother, H.E President Salva Kiir, in Juba, South Sudan, regarding the political situation in the country. I am encouraged by the possibility of a resolution to the conflict. I will be briefing… pic.twitter.com/OfkPfo0rZ3
— Raila Odinga (@RailaOdinga) March 28, 2025
Mr. Odinga ostensibly stated, without directly hearing from the opposite party to the disagreement, that the conflict might be resolved.
“I am encouraged by the possibility of a resolution to the conflict. I will be briefing other regional leaders and President William Ruto on my mission and a possible roadmap to sustainable peace and stability,” he concluded.
The Kiir regime accuses Machar of organizing a rebellion to destabilize the country.
On Friday, Kiir’s Minister of Information, Michael Makuei, stated that intelligence sources implicated Machar, who was placed under house arrest on Wednesday, in recruiting his SPLA-IO men to sow mayhem.
The SPLA-IO announced on Thursday that Machar’s arrest signifies the end of the fragile peace accord negotiated in 2018.
The UN, African Union, IGAD, and Western diplomatic missions have all advocated for Machar’s release and the execution of the 2018 peace deal.
On mission in South Sudan, H.E. @RailaOdinga, held a detailed and constructive discussion with the President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, in Juba today.
— IGAD Secretariat (@IGADsecretariat) March 28, 2025
The talks focused on the political situation in South Sudan and ongoing efforts to safeguard… pic.twitter.com/FdYgjnvnQC
The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, asked President Kiir on Friday to free Dr. Machar and reinstate the government of national unity established by the 2018 peace accord.
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On Thursday, African Union Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said that he will deploy the A.U. Panel of the Wise, chaired by retired Justice Effie Owuor, Kenya’s former Court of Appeals Judge.
Diplomatic delegations from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, and the European Union representative in South Sudan urged President Kiir on Thursday to free Dr. Riek Machar.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) expressed concern on Thursday about Machar’s detention, adding that it “seriously” undermines the fragile peace accord agreed in August 2018.
The growing security situation in South Sudan has already led Germany and Norway to close their embassies in the capital Juba, while the United States and United Kingdom have reduced their staff.
President Kiir Shuts Off Raila Odinga’s Request To Meet South Sudan VP Riek Machar
