Top Kenyan official arrives in South Sudan amid border tensions

JUBA, FEBRUARY 9^th 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The government of Kenya on Wednesday dispatched one of its high-ranking officials to South Sudan to discuss escalating border tensions after armed raiders from Kenya crossed to South Sudan this week.

Clashes erupted this week after Kenyan armed herders crossed to South Sudan where they attacked locals in Nadapal of Western Equatoria state wounding a custom police officer.

In a statement, the president said President Salva Kiir Mayardit received Kenyan cabinet secretary for investment, trade and industry Moses Kiarie Kuria who discussed with the president matters of bilateral relations.

“President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Wednesday met with Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Investment, Trade and Industry, Hon. Moses Kiarie Kuria and discussed matters of bilateral concerns between South Sudan and Kenya,” the presidency statement reads in part.

South Sudan’s deputy minister of foreign affairs and international cooperation Deng Dau said the Kenyan official came to the country to deliver a message from President William Samoei Ruto to President Kiir.

“The Kenyan official came to deliver a message from President Dr. William Samoei Ruto to follow-up on the mutual agreements that were discussed by the two principals last year,” the deputy foreign minister said.