National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga is expected to jet into South Africa later next week in a bid to resolve the incessant South Sudan conflict.
Raila is scheduled to meet exiled rebel leader and former South Sudan Vice-President Riek Machar.
He is also lined up to meet South African President Cyril Ramaphosa with whom they have close personal ties.
Raila will be received by Kenyan High Commissioner Jean Kamau.
On May 25, Raila met South Sudan President Salva Kiir in Juba opening initial talks with an aim to restore peace talks with the Machar-led opposition.
[caption caption="Raila Odinga in a past meeting with Salva Kiir in Juba"]
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Both sides have expressed a willingness to engage in talks steered by Odinga who has an extensive knowledge of the region and its politics.
“If Mr Odinga has been delegated by President Uhuru, we will respect that as a decision by a friendly country to assist. We have no conditions against him.
“I think Raila has played his politics in Kenya very well. He has never taken up arms against his country so if he can convince (rebel leader) Riek Machar to accept peace, that will be fine with us,” stated S.Sudan's Ambassador to the African Union James. P. Morgan.
On the other hand, Machar's allies supported Odinga's inclusion describing him as a friend of the South Sudanese people.
“We are aware that Raila met President Salva Kiir in Juba, and we are looking forward to a meeting with Dr Machar too. We hope this initiative is further helped by Kenya by authorising Raila to try and bridge the gap,” stated Machar's lead negotiator Henry Odwar.
[caption caption="Riek Machar"]
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