Raila holds fresh rounds of meeting days after being called out by South Sudan govt
Days after the South Sudanese government accused former Prime Minister Raila Odinga of misrepresenting some facts, Kenya’s special envoy has resumed holding meetings aimed at addressing the simmering conflict in that neighbouring nation.
In a statement on Monday, April 7, 2025, Raila confirmed holding a series of meetings in a bid to de-escalate tension in that country.
Raila Odinga first held a meeting with Orbjern Svanevik, First Secretary Political and Economic Affairs at the Norwegian Embassy in Juba.
He later met with Sudanese community leaders and civil groups.
According to the former prime minister, both meetings were convened to find ways to address the looming conflict in the neighbouring state.
“I met Torbjern Svanevik, First Secretary Political & Economic Affairs at the Norwegian Embassy in Juba, South Sudan.
Separately met South Sudan Civil Society and Community Leaders,” Raila’s statement read in part.
“We discussed the situation in South Sudan and how to de-escalate tensions,” it added.
The statement, however, did not delve deeper into other meetings lined up for Raila following his last trip to Juba, where he met President Salva Kiir and was denied access to First Vice President Riek Machar, who was under house arrest.
Misrepresenting facts
His inaugural trip to Juba as peace envoy was marred by controversies. Raila, while addressing the press in Nairobi, stated that he was denied a chance to meet Riek Machar and was directed to visit President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni instead.
However, the South Sudanese government, through the president’s press secretary, David Amuor Majur, accused former Prime Minister Raila Odinga of misrepresenting the facts.
Majur strongly refuted the claim that the South Sudan government directed Raila to meet Museveni. Majur insisted that Raila’s journey to Uganda was pre-arranged and not recommended by Salva Kiir’s administration, as he stated during his interview after landing back in Nairobi.
“Furthermore, the suggestion that his excellency General Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, requested right honorable Raila Odinga to meet with the President of Uganda is misrepresenting diplomatic norms and principles,” Majur told the media.
“It is essential to clarify also that the right honourable Odinga’s mission to Uganda was pre-arranged and not directly from the government of South Sudan,” he added.
In his address to the media after landing, Raila claimed that he flew to Uganda to meet Museveni after he was denied a chance to meet Machar.
“I asked to be allowed to talk to Dr Machar, but they were not able to let me see him. They recommended that I meet with (Ugandan) President Yoweri Museveni and update him on the situation,” he said.
