Raila Odinga: Special Envoy for South Sudan Peace

Kenya is dispatching former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to South Sudan to mediate the conflict between President Salva Kiir and Vice President Riek Machar, a situation threatening to reignite civil war. The intervention comes amidst rising tensions and international concern over South Sudan's stability.

Kenya has appointed its former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, as a special envoy to South Sudan in an effort to ease tensions between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Riek Machar. The political discord poses a risk of a return to civil conflict in the young nation.

This move by Kenyan President William Ruto, head of the East African Community bloc, follows recent discussions with President Kiir after Machar's detention heightened tensions. Odinga is scheduled to travel to the South Sudanese capital Juba, on a mission to facilitate dialogue and report back on the situation.

The international community, including the United Nations and the European Union, has expressed concern over the volatile situation. Nations such as the USA and Germany have scaled down their diplomatic presence, while regional leaders are stepping in to encourage peace talks. The African Union is also deploying a panel to assist in stabilizing South Sudan.

(With inputs from agencies.)