Juba denies Raila's claims on Machar's house arrest, Uganda mediation

The South Sudanese government has dismissed claims by Kenya’s special envoy, Raila Odinga, regarding his visit to Uganda last week and his assertion that President Salva Kiir directed him to seek an audience with Uganda's Yoweri Museveni to discuss the status of First Vice President Riek Machar.

South Sudan Presidential Press Secretary David Amuor Majur, in a statement on Monday, refuted Odinga’s remarks, terming them “unfounded and inconsistent with diplomatic norms.”

“It is essential to clarify that Odinga’s mission to Uganda was prearranged and not a directive from the Government of South Sudan,” Amuor stated. “The suggestion that President Salva Kiir Mayardit requested Odinga to meet with the President of Uganda misrepresents diplomatic norms and principles.”

Odinga, who was sent by President William Ruto to assess rising tensions in South Sudan, met with Kiir on Friday, March 29, before traveling to Uganda.

Upon returning to Kenya, he claimed he was not allowed to meet Machar and that Kiir instructed him to speak with Museveni instead.

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“I traveled to Juba as an IGAD special envoy. I met President Salva Kiir in his office. You know that First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar is under house arrest with his wife and several others. I asked if I could meet him, but they refused, so Kiir instructed me to sit with Museveni,” said Odinga.

South Sudanese officials have strongly denied this account, insisting that Machar is not under house arrest and that Kiir never directed Odinga to consult Museveni.

“This claim is unfounded and does not accurately reflect the reality of the situation. The Minister of Interior and the spouse of the First Vice President Dr Machar are not under arrest; she is performing her official duties.”

Amuor also noted that Odinga’s diplomatic mission included planned visits to Ethiopia and Djibouti to meet with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh.

“We urge all stakeholders to respect South Sudan’s sovereignty and internal processes,” the official added, reaffirming Juba’s commitment to regional peace and security.

Flag mix-up

Beyond the diplomatic dispute, South Sudan has also expressed outrage over what it calls the misrepresentation of its national symbols during Kenyan media coverage of Odinga’s return.

A backdrop featuring Sudan’s flag—rather than South Sudan’s—was displayed during an interview with Odinga.

“We understand the importance of accuracy in representing national symbols, and we are genuinely concerned about this misrepresentation. This is a culture of dishonesty, and we demand an apology,” he said.

The controversy comes amid heightened tensions in Juba following reports of Machar’s house arrest. Kiir’s government has accused Machar of mobilising his SPLA-IO forces to instigate political unrest.

On Friday last week, Information Minister Michael Makuei claimed intelligence reports indicated Machar was plotting a rebellion.

Machar’s faction, however, argues that his alleged detention signals the collapse of the 2018 peace agreement.

The United Nations, African Union, IGAD, and Western diplomatic missions—including the US, UK, and the European Union—have called for Machar’s release and the full implementation of the peace deal.

The deteriorating security situation has already prompted Germany and Norway to close their embassies in Juba, while the US and UK have scaled down their diplomatic staff.