Kiir resists pressure as AU envoy struggles to free Machar
South Sudan's President Salva Kiir Mayardit (right) meets with AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea Jakaya Kikwete at State House, Juba on April 9, 2026.
Former Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete, the African Union (AU) envoy, is struggling to secure the release of South Sudan’s First Vice President Riek Machar from de facto house arrest, amid firm resistance from President Salva Kiir’s government and mounting security concerns.
During a recent visit to Juba, Kikwete met Kiir and urged him to release detainees and implement AU recommendations aimed at restoring stability. However, The EastAfrican understands that Kiir remains unmoved, maintaining a position he has previously conveyed to other envoys.
