ENTEBBE, UGANDA – Raila Odinga, Kenya’s Special Envoy to South Sudan, revealed that he was denied access to meet with South Sudan’s First Vice President, Riek Machar, during a recent trip to Juba. Machar is reportedly under house arrest following a deadly attack in the Upper Nile region that resulted in the death of a South Sudanese General and several soldiers.
Odinga arrived in Juba on Friday with the intention of meeting both President Salva Kiir and his political rival, Riek Machar. While he held a six-hour meeting with President Kiir at the presidential palace, his efforts to see Machar were unsuccessful.
Speaking on Saturday after arriving in Entebbe, Uganda, Odinga explained that President Kiir informed him about the recent killings in the northern town of Nasir. According to the South Sudanese government, General Majur Dak and a contingent of soldiers were killed on March 7th when a United Nations helicopter attempting to evacuate them came under fire.
“I had a lengthy discussion with President Kiir, who told me about the challenges they are facing–that a General and 10 other people were killed in the town of Nasir in the Upper Nile, and this is what they are investigating,” Odinga stated. “Because of this, he [Kiir] said that First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar had been placed under house arrest as they continue their investigations.”
Following his meeting with Kiir, Odinga requested permission to speak with Machar but was denied. He was subsequently advised to meet with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
The reasons for placing Machar under house arrest remain unclear, though the South Sudanese government has indicated it is related to the ongoing investigation into the Nasir attack.
Following the denial, Odinga travelled to Entebbe where he briefed President Museveni on his assessment of the situation in South Sudan. The details of that briefing remain undisclosed.
The development raises concerns about the stability of the already fragile peace agreement in South Sudan and the potential for further violence in the region. The incident highlights the ongoing tensions and complex political landscape that continue to plague the nation.
