Opposition leader Raila Odinga has for the first time addressed his latest mission to unite South Sudan warring parties led by President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar.
Through his spokesperson Dennis Onyango, Raila expressed his commitment to the realization of peace in the young nation.
He maintained that there was no immediate meeting planned between the two warring factions.
About two weeks ago, Mr. Odinga met South Sudan President Salva Kiir in Juba before heading to South Africa for a meeting with rebel leader Dr Riek Machar.
“We wish to clarify that Mr. Odinga’s recent missions to South Sudan and South Africa, where he held talks with President Kiir and Dr Machar respectively, were aimed at understanding the current position of each of the two leaders on the various issues separating them,” read a statement signed by the ODM leader’s spokesman, Mr. Dennis Onyango.
Mr. Onyango noted that the two leaders’ positions have implications on peace and stability in South Sudan, Kenya, and the entire East Africa region.
He said Mr. Odinga’s mission was complementary to the talks that have been going on in the war-torn country.
“Mr. Odinga remains hopeful that these efforts will soon bear fruit,” he added.
Dr. Machar, former first vice president sought political asylum in South Africa after falling out with his boss, Kiir in 2013 leading to violence in Africa’s youngest nation.