ODM leader Raila Odinga in Friday scored a major victory in his new role as Kenya's special envoy to troubled South Sudan, weeks after taking over as lead negotiator.
Raila,73, had been appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta following request by either side of the political divide after the IGAD led talks collapsed in Addis Ababa.
But days after holding talks with former Vice President Riek Machar, the opposition faction has agreed ceasefire and subsequently honored talks that will commence in Ethiopia.
"I am happy that Hon Raila has taken over. I met him and we have talked a lot. This is what we have been pushing for a while," said Machar.
And a statement from Mabior Garang on Friday confirmed that Machar has agreed to travel back home besides calling for ceasefire.
"After Raila's efforts, we have agreed that our leader shall come back home soon. Further, we have called for ceasefire and other offensive against the government."
This is Raila's first mission outside the country in as many years after suffering a setback in 2008 at Ivory Coast.