The South Sudanese government, through the President’s Press Secretary, David Amuor Majur, has accused former Prime Minister Raila Odinga of misrepresenting some facts following his recent visit to Juba.

Addressing the press on Monday, March 31, 2025, Majur strongly refuted the claim that the South Sudan government directed Raila to meet Uganda’s President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni after being denied a chance to meet First Vice President Riek Machar, who was under house arrest.

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.

Refutes claim of Teny detention

Besides denouncing claims that they recommended Raila’s visit to Uganda, Majur also dismissed claims that Interior Minister Angelina Teny was also under house arrest.

South Sudan termed the claims as unfounded.

“On that statement, the government of South Sudan respectfully refutes the assertion that right honourable Angelina Teny, the Minister of Interior in the Republic of South Sudan and spouse of first vice president Dr Riek Machar, is under house arrest. This claim is unfounded and does not accurately reveal the reality of the situation.”

AUC to deploy team

The latest revelation comes hours after the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson, Mahmoud Youssouf Ali, vowed to deploy a high-level panel to help de-escalate the situation.

In a statement on Monday, March 31, 2025, Mahmoud confirmed his talks with President Salva Kiir, which he described as cordial, direct talks.

“To enhance mediation efforts and support the full implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), the Chairperson is dispatching a high-level delegation of the AU Panel of the Wise to Juba to engage with all the stakeholders to de-escalate tensions and promote dialogue,” the statement shared by the African Union read in part.

“The AU calls on all parties to uphold all the provisions of R-ARCSS and ensure its full implementation,” it added.