President William Ruto has announced the deployment of a special envoy to South Sudan in response to the arrest and detention of the country’s First Vice President, Riek Machar.
In a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, President Ruto revealed that he had spoken with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir to discuss the unfolding political crisis.
He also confirmed that he had consulted with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on the matter.“After consultations with President Museveni and Prime Minister Abiy, I am sending a special envoy to South Sudan to engage all concerned parties, try to de-escalate tensions, and brief us back,” Ruto stated.
The arrest of Machar, a key opposition leader and signatory to the 2018 peace agreement, has raised fears of renewed instability in the country. His detention could jeopardize the fragile peace deal that ended years of civil war and paved the way for a transitional government.
As a key player in regional peace efforts, Kenya has been instrumental in South Sudan’s mediation processes through the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). President Ruto’s decision to send an envoy highlights Kenya’s commitment to maintaining stability in its neighboring country.
Regional analysts believe that coordinated efforts by Kenya, Uganda, and Ethiopia could be crucial in preventing a further deterioration of the situation.
The deployment of a special envoy signals a diplomatic push to resolve the crisis through dialogue rather than conflict.The Kenyan government is expected to provide further updates on the situation once the envoy engages with South Sudanese leaders in Juba.
