Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei has stated that President William Ruto has appointed former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as a peace envoy for South Sudan.

The PS said the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader will travel to Juba to engage President Salva Kiir and his political nemesis, Riek Machar, over the escalating instability in that country.

“President William Ruto, who is also the chair of the East African Community, has requested former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to be his special envoy to South Sudan.

“The special envoy is presently engaged with the escalating situation in our sisterly country, including traveling to Juba to convey the president’s message to President Kiir and Vice President Machar as well as to critical stakeholders in Juba,” Sing’oei’s statement on Friday, March 28, 2025, read.

Sing’oei’s statement was echoed by ODM, who said that Raila Odinga will take a study tour that will inform the East African Community (EAC) presidents.

“President William Ruto has appointed the ODM Party Leader Rt Hon Raila Odinga EGH as his special envoy to South Sudan. President Ruto, as the current chair of the East African Community, appointed Hon. Odinga with a mandate to de-escalate tensions in Juba while undertaking a study tour that will inform the EAC Heads of State on a roadmap back to peace and stability in South Sudan,” ODM said.

Escalating conflict

According to Machar’s party, the vice president has been placed under house arrest in Juba. The arrest effectively ended a peace deal that ended a five-year civil war and brought the two men into a shaky power-sharing government.

Machar is said to have been detained alongside his wife Angelina Teny, who is also the interior minister.

The UN, African Union, and neighbouring countries have all expressed their concern over escalating political instability in Juba.