ODM Leader Raila Odinga Confident in Peaceful Resolution of South Sudan Crisis

Juba, The Gulf Observer: ODM leader Raila Odinga has expressed confidence that the ongoing crisis in South Sudan will be resolved amicably.

In a statement issued after his meeting with South Sudan President Salva Kiir in the capital Juba on Friday, Raila noted that he was encouraged by the potential for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

“I had a detailed and fruitful discussion with my brother, President Salva Kiir,” Raila stated. “I will be briefing other regional leaders and President William Ruto on my mission and a possible roadmap to sustainable peace and stability.”

His visit follows reports of rising tensions in South Sudan, including the arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar. On Thursday, President William Ruto telephoned President Kiir to discuss the situation and announced that he had dispatched a special envoy to help ease tensions.

Ruto also revealed that he had consulted Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali before making the decision. “Had a phone call with President Salva Kiir on the situation leading to the arrest and detention of First Vice President Riek Machar in South Sudan. After consultations with President Museveni and PM Abiy, I am sending a special envoy to South Sudan to engage, try to de-escalate, and brief us back,” Ruto wrote on X.

Raila departed for South Sudan on Friday as part of his new role as Ruto’s special envoy to the country. This appointment comes just a month after his unsuccessful bid for the African Union top job, which would have placed him at the forefront of continental conflict resolution.

President Ruto, in his capacity as the chair of the East African Community (EAC), has been actively involved in efforts to spearhead the resolution of the crisis in South Sudan.