President William Ruto has appointed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as Kenya’s special envoy to South Sudan following the arrest of First Vice President Riek Machar and his wife, Interior Minister Angelina Teny.
Odinga is set to depart on Friday as part of efforts to prevent the country from sliding back into civil war.
Machar, leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO), was arrested on Wednesday after security forces loyal to President Salva Kiir stormed his residence.
His bodyguards were disarmed, and he was placed under house arrest. The SPLM-IO has condemned the move, calling it a violation of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement.
The international community has responded swiftly, with the United Nations and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) warning that the situation could lead to a collapse of the transitional government. The U.S. has urged President Kiir to reverse the decision.
Kenya, historically a key player in South Sudan’s peace process, acted promptly.
President Ruto announced the appointment of Odinga after consultations with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
“I’m sending a special envoy to engage, try to de-escalate, and brief us back,” Ruto said.
The African Union has also deployed its Panel of the Wise, chaired by Kenyan retired Justice Effie Owuor, to mediate the crisis.
Odinga’s diplomatic efforts will be closely watched as South Sudan teeters on the edge of renewed conflict.
