Museveni, Raila Odinga Hold Talks on South Sudan Peace Process

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Thursday received Raila Odinga, the African Union High Representative and President William Ruto’s special envoy for South Sudan, for a high-level briefing on the security and political situation in South Sudan.

Museveni announced the meeting on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “I welcomed Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, President William Ruto’s special envoy for South Sudan. We discussed the security situation in South Sudan.”

Odinga’s visit to Entebbe followed a fact-finding mission in Juba, where he met South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir.

According to Odinga, the discussions in Juba were “detailed and fruitful,” and centred on charting a path out of the country’s ongoing political uncertainty.

“I remain hopeful that a peaceful way out of the political uncertainty in South Sudan is possible, and further escalation can be avoided,” Odinga said. “I am encouraged by the possibility of a resolution to the conflict. I will be briefing other regional leaders and President William Ruto on my mission and a possible roadmap to sustainable peace and stability.”

The meetings are part of Odinga’s mandate under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), where he has been tasked with supporting peace and reconciliation efforts in the region.

Museveni, a key regional player in security matters, has long maintained an interest in ensuring stability in South Sudan, Uganda’s northern neighbour and strategic trade partner.

Odinga’s diplomatic shuttle comes amid renewed tensions and concerns over the delayed implementation of the peace agreement in South Sudan, ahead of the scheduled elections.

Regional observers say the involvement of leaders like Museveni and Odinga signals a renewed push by IGAD to steer South Sudan back on the path to peace and democratic transition.