Kenyan authorities investigate assassination claim by South Sudan opposition leader

JUBA – Kenyan security agencies are probing allegations by South Sudanese opposition leader General Stephen Buay Rolnyang that he is the target of an assassination plot orchestrated by a senior South Sudanese government official, Kenya’s government said on Monday.

Buay, who leads the South Sudan People’s Movement (SSPM) and the South Sudan United National Alliance (SSUNA), claimed in a statement on Monday that security agents, including Kenyans hired by South Sudan’s security advisor Tut Gatluak, were seeking to harm him in Kenya.

The opposition leader is currently in Kenya for peace talks between the South Sudanese government and non-signatory groups to the revitalized peace agreement, including the SSPM.

He has requested safe passage out of Kenya due to the alleged security threat.

Kenyan authorities, however, refuted Buay’s claims and emphasized their commitment to providing a secure environment for the peace talks.

“The Government of Kenya-led Mediation Phase of the High-Level Mediation for South Sudan… confirms that the peace process is conducted in a secure environment,” a Kenyan government statement said.

“On the reported incidents, the Hotel Security, Kenya Police Service and the complainants comprehensively reviewed all the footage and were satisfied with the outcome that no suspicious incidents occurred,” it added.

The statement further noted that Kenyan authorities are investigating Buay’s allegations and will publicly disclose the findings upon completion.

“The regrettable incident circulating in social media, is under investigation by the relevant security agencies of the Republic of Kenya and the outcome of the same shall be communicated publicly,” the Kenyan government statement concluded.

The motive behind the alleged plot against Buay remains unclear. However, tensions have simmered since SSPM forces attacked Mayom County in July 2022, killing the county commissioner, Maj. Gen. Chuol Gatluak, who is the elder brother of Tut Gatluak.

August of the same year, South Sudanese security operatives, reportedly aided by Sudanese paramilitary RSF, arrested and subsequently killed or disappeared several senior opposition commanders linked to the SSPM in raids conducted in Sudan’s Western Kordofan State.

Gatluak has dismissed Buay’s accusations as attempts to smear his reputation.