NEWS- South Sudan Government has rejected claims made by Kenyan Special Envoy Raila Odinga regarding the status of First Vice President Dr Riek Machar and his wife Angelina Teny.
This was confirmed by President Salva Kiir’s Press Secretary David Majur who totally refuted Odinga’s assertion that Dr Machar and his wife were under house arrest.
“The claim is unfounded and does not accurately depict the reality of the situation,” Majur said during a press briefing in Juba today Monday 31st March.
Raila Odinga, who visited Juba as part of his diplomatic efforts to mediate regional peace, had told Kenyan media that he was denied access to Dr Machar, who is reportedly under house arrest, and was instead directed by President Salva Kiir to consult with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
However, South Sudanese officials dismissed this version of events, insisting that Raila Odinga’s mission to Uganda had been pre-arranged and was not at President Kiir’s instruction.
“President Kiir is not an envoy; he is a head of state. His Excellency did not send Raila Odinga to President Museveni,” Majur emphasized.
Meanwhile, the security situation in South Sudan remains tense as government forces continue operations in areas affected by ongoing clashes between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army -in-Opposition (SPLA-IO) and the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).
Officials declined to provide a timeline for the investigation into the conflict or the status of Dr Machar.
The diplomatic row was sparked by Raila Odinga’s claim that First Vice President Dr Riek Machar and his wife, Interior Minister Angelina Teny, were under house arrest.
South Sudanese officials swiftly denied the claim, insisting that Ms Teny was carrying out her duties as usual.
The government also took issue with a Kenyan television station, Citizen TV, for displaying the Sudanese flag instead of South Sudan’s during its coverage of Odinga’s visit, calling it a “misrepresentation” that warrants an apology.
“We demand an apology. Why would you talk about South Sudan while showing someone else’s flag? This is unacceptable,” Majur charged. “We urge all stakeholders to respect South Sudan’s sovereignty and internal dynamics as we work toward regional peace.”
Despite the diplomatic dispute, South Sudan emphasized its commitment to maintaining strong ties with Kenya and other IGAD member states.
Additional Reporting from Associated Press
