By William Madouk
On Monday, the government trashed claims made by Kenyan Special Envoy to South Sudan, Raila Odinga, that President Salva Kiir refused him access to first Vice President Dr. Riek Machar until he sought permission from the Ugandan president.
This comes after Odinga, who visited Juba as part of his diplomatic attempts to broker regional peace, told Kenyan media that he was refused access to Machar, who is under house arrest, including his wife. He also stated that President Salva Kiir directed him to consult with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.
In response, David Majur, Press Secretary in the office of President Salva Kiir, denied Odinga’s claim that Dr. Machar’s wife was under house arrest.
“The Government of South Sudan respectfully refutes the assertion that Hon. Angelina Teny, the Minister of Interior in the Republic of South Sudan and the spouse of First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar, is under arrest. This claim is unfounded and does not accurately depict the reality of the situation,” he said.
Kiir’s press officer adamantly denied Angelina’s imprisonment, stating that Teny was performing her job as usual.
He stressed that Odinga’s visit to Uganda was organized and not ordered by President Salva Kiir.
“Furthermore, the suggestion that H.E Gen Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic of South Sudan, requested Rt Hon. Raila Odinga to meet with the President of Uganda is a misrepresentation of diplomatic norms and principles. It is essential to clarify also that Rt Hon. Odinga’s mission to Uganda was prearranged and not directed by the Government of South Sudan.”
The government also criticized Citizen TV, a Kenyan television station, for using the Sudanese flag instead of South Sudan’s during its coverage of Odinga’s visit, calling it a “misrepresentation” that required an apology.
“In addition, we also understand the importance of accuracy in representing national symbols, and we are dually concerned about Citizen Television in Kenya, which recently misrepresented the South Sudan flag with that of Sudan. When Rt Hon. Raila Odinga arrived in Kenya, the flag of Sudan was in his interview background while he was talking about South Sudan, not Sudan. So, we demand an apology. And if you have a friend from Citizen TV, you better tell them to write to us and apologize. Because we, too, have a flag. Why do you have to take our flag would you talk about South Sudan while showing someone else’s flag? That one is the culture of dishonesty.”Majur charged.
He asked all stakeholders to respect South Sudan’s sovereignty and domestic dynamics as they strive for regional peace.
South Sudan reiterated its commitment to preserving close ties with Kenya and other IGAD members.