Kenya’s former vice president has been appointed as a Special Envoy to monitor peace in South Sudan.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka was appointed on Tuesday by Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta, according to a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and seen by Radio Tamazuj.
The letter stated that Mr. Kalonzo’s appointment is in furtherance of Kenya’s commitment towards shared prosperity in the region, in general, and to the pursuit of lasting peace and security in South Sudan through the acceleration of the implementation of the revitalised peace agreement.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs congratulates Dr Kalozo Musyoka on his appointment and stands ready to support the Special Envoy in the delivery of his mandate,” said the letter dated July 2.
South Sudan President Salva Kiir, opposition leader Riek Machar and a handful of other opposition groups signed a peace deal in September 2018, the latest in a string of efforts to end the devastating civil war.
However, the implementation of the peace agreement is facing multiple delays.
The Kenyan opposition figure has in the past been involved in peace efforts in Sudan before South Sudan independent in 2011.
Atem Simon, a South Sudanese political analyst and journalist, said relations between Kenya and South Sudan have recently improved.
He further said reciprocal visits of South Sudanese and Kenyan leaders have revealed the two countries decided to enhance their relationship.
According to the analyst, there was a misunderstanding between Kenya and some of its neighbors for having abandoned former Foreign Affairs CS Amina Mohamed during polls to pick the AU Commission chairperson in 2017.
Kenya’s government said some of the pledges made by some neighboring countries were deceptive after Ms Mohamed lost to Chadian foreign minister Moussa Faki Mahamat.
“Now, with the visits of South Sudan President to Kenya, the government of Kenya wants to restore its key role in South Sudan politically and economically,” said Atem.
Atem noted that the agreements signed by South Sudan President Salva Kiir and his Kenyan counterpart in Nairobi on Monday are evidence that relations will be broadened and deepened in the coming time.