The head of ODM, Raila Odinga, has shown optimism that the conflict in South Sudan will find an amicable resolution.
After meeting with South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir in the capital city of Juba on Friday, Raila released a statement expressing optimism about the potential for resolving the conflict.
Raila mentioned that he had a comprehensive and productive conversation with “my brother, President Salva Kiir”.
“I plan to update other regional leaders and President William Ruto about my mission along with potential strategies for achieving lasting peace and stability,” he said.
On Thursday, President William Ruto called Kirr after reports emerged about the arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar. He also stated that he had sent a special representative to help alleviate the tensions.
Ruto mentioned that he sought advice from President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Ethiopian Premier Abiy Ahmed Ali prior to reaching his decision.
“I had a conversation with President Salva Kiir regarding the circumstances that led to the arrest and detainment of First Vice President Riek Machar in South Sudan. Following discussions with President Museveni and Prime Minister Abiy, I have decided to dispatch a special envoy to South Sudan for engagement, attempting to defuse tensions and provide an update,” he posted on X.
Raila departed the nation on Friday as he undertook his new responsibilities as a special envoy for the crisis-ridden South Sudan.
He assumed the role of Ruto’s special envoy for the continental mission barely a month after he missed out on securing the top position at the African Union, a role that would have placed him at the forefront of resolving cross-continental disputes.
Ruto has assumed leadership in addressing the crisis in South Sudan as part of his role as the chair of the East African Community (EAC).
The UNMISS has urged all sides to remain calm following reports of Machar’s detention.
South Sudan is once again on the verge of a widespread civil conflict, as the United Nations has cautioned that the nation’s circumstances are “extremely grave.”
The tension rose following Machar and his spouse Angelina Teny being put under house arrest on Wednesday evening. This occurred after several weeks of conflict between Machar’s troops and the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces close to the nation’s capital, Juba.
The UMISS head, Nicholas Haysom, warned that the young nation could lose the “significant achievements of the last seven years” if it reverted to a “state of warfare.”
” Tonight, the nation’s leadership stands at the precipice between plunging back into pervasive strife or steering the country toward progress, recovery, and democratic governance, adhering to the accord established in 2018 when they endorsed and pledged to carry out the Revitalized Peace Agreement,” stated Haysom on Thursday.
Machar’s party asserts that the arrest has essentially undermined the 2018 peace agreement, which concluded the nation’s five-year-long civil conflict.
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM/IO) stated that an armed group of senior security officers arrived at Machar’s residence in Juba and forcibly removed his guards late Wednesday evening.
The party stated that Machar was arrested along with his spouse Angelina Teny, who holds the position of interior minister in the nation.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc.
Syndigate.info
).
