JUBA — South Sudan’s government on Monday denied claims made by the visiting Kenyan special envoy to South Sudan, Raila Odinga, that he visited Uganda under the instruction of President Kiir to discuss the detention of Riek Machar.
David Amuor Majur, the press secretary in the office of the president, stated that the government felt compelled to address and clarify certain aspects of Odinga’s statements made following his meeting with President Salva Kiir.
“Furthermore, the suggestion that H.E. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit requested Hon. Odinga to meet with the President of Uganda misrepresents diplomatic norms and principles. It is essential to clarify that Hon. Odinga’s mission to Uganda was prearranged and not a directive from the Government of South Sudan,” Majur said during a press conference on Monday.
Majur revealed that on March 29, 2025, Citizen Television broadcast a report in which H.E. Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga stated, during his visit to South Sudan, that he was directed by President Salva Kiir to meet with the President of Uganda.
“During his remarks, Hon. Odinga stated, ‘I traveled to Juba, South Sudan, as an IGAD Special Envoy. I met with President Salva Kiir of South Sudan in his office. You know that H.E. First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar is under house arrest with his wife and several others. I asked if I could converse with Dr. Machar, but they couldn’t let me see him, so Kiir instructed me to sit with President Museveni.’”
Majur disclosed that the Government of South Sudan extended a warm and cordial welcome to H.E. Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, the former Prime Minister of Kenya and Kenya’s Special Envoy, adding that Odinga had the opportunity to discuss his diplomatic efforts to foster peace and cooperation in the region with H.E. Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit.
“This meeting was integral to his diplomatic efforts to foster regional peace and cooperation. We deeply value our partnerships with the Republic of Kenya and the IGAD member states, and we urge all stakeholders to respect the Republic of South Sudan’s sovereignty and internal dynamics,” he said.
Majur also raised concerns about Citizen Television’s recent misrepresentation of South Sudan’s flag as that of Sudan, citing that this situation has caused considerable distress and prompting them to demand an apology from Citizen Television.
Majur stated that the assertion that Hon. Angelina Teny, the Minister of Interior and spouse of the First Vice President, is under house arrest is unfounded and does not accurately depict the reality of the situation.
“The Government of South Sudan feels compelled to address and clarify certain aspects of Hon. Odinga’s statements made following his meeting, which do not accurately reflect the context or purpose of his visit nor the diplomatic practices upheld by our nation,” he said.
“The Government of South Sudan remains resolute in its commitment to advancing peace, stability, and security within its borders. We are dedicated to nurturing constructive diplomatic relations with our neighboring countries and the broader international community.”
