The Kenyan chief mediator of the South Sudan peace process General Lazaro Sumbeiywo on Tuesday revealed that local police had finished investigating the alleged assassination attempt of rebel leader Stephen Buay Rolnyang.
Rolnyang had on Monday threatened to withdraw from the peace process claiming that an assassin had tried to eliminate him inside a popular Nairobi Hotel.
The rebel leader who commands the South Sudan People's Movement (SSPM) had pointed fingers at South Sudan's administration following the alleged assassination attempt.
Sumbeiywo acknowledging receiving complaints from Rolnyang stated that he had asked Kenyan police to investigate the matter.
Police officers reviewed CCTV footage from the time of the alleged assassination attempt but did not find anything suspicious.
Sumbeiywo who was appointed by President William Ruto to the chief mediator position remarked that the investigations were extensive and encompassed hotel security.
“General Sumbeiywo stated he has consulted with the hotel security, parties and civil society to confirm that there is no security threat,” South Sudan media outlets reported.
“The Kenya Police Service and hotel security and the complainant reviewed all CCTV footage and were satisfied that no suspicious incident occurred.”
Following the investigation, it was reported that SSPM would no longer withdraw from the peace process that aims to end years of civil war.
Additionally, the Juba government and other rebel leaders have also agreed to continue with the high mediation process headed by President Ruto.
Further investigations to the incident are being conducted by relevant authorities and Sumbeiywo has promised all stakeholders that the outcome would be made public.
The peace talks have been ongoing haltingly and at one time the rebel leaders had demanded the peace talks be moved from Nairobi to Rome.
