South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit left Kenya on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, for South Africa, after a two-day visit during which he held bilateral talks with Kenyan President William Ruto. According to official sources, Kiir departed Nairobi in the afternoon after meeting Ruto at State House on Monday. The meeting between the two leaders focused on strengthening ties between their countries.
Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes, Geoffrey Kiringa Ruku, confirmed Kiir's departure in a post on X. Ruku said he had the pleasure of seeing off Kiir at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Kiir's visit to Kenya came at a critical time, with South Sudan scheduled to hold general elections on December 22.
During their meeting on Monday, President Ruto expressed Kenya's readiness to support South Sudan's preparations for the upcoming general elections. Ruto urged South Sudan's political leaders to pursue dialogue and consensus, emphasizing the importance of a peaceful and successful electoral process. Kenya's support for South Sudan's elections is seen as a significant development in the region.
The meeting between Kiir and Ruto took place less than two weeks after Kiir dissolved the transitional government and national legislature, appointing a caretaker administration in their place. This move is seen as a significant step towards preparing for the general elections, which have been delayed for years since South Sudan's independence in 2011.
South Sudan's general elections are scheduled to take place on December 22, marking the end of the country's prolonged transitional period. The elections are seen as a crucial milestone in the country's journey towards stability and democracy. Kiir's visit to Kenya and his talks with Ruto are part of his efforts to engage with regional leaders and secure support for the electoral process.
Kiir has travelled to South Africa, but his press office had not issued an official statement on the purpose of the visit by the time of publication. This trip comes just over six weeks after Kiir's visit to South Africa from August 23 to August 30, when he held talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa on South Sudan's political transition and other bilateral and regional issues.
The international community is closely watching South Sudan's preparations for the general elections, with many countries offering support and encouragement. The success of the elections will be a significant step towards consolidating peace and stability in the region. Key issues, such as security and voter registration, remain to be addressed before the elections can take place.
Key points
- South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit left Kenya for South Africa after a two-day visit, where he held talks with Kenyan President William Ruto on bilateral issues and support for South Sudan's general elections.
- Kenya's President Ruto expressed his country's readiness to support South Sudan's preparations for the general elections, urging political leaders to pursue dialogue and consensus.
- South Sudan is scheduled to hold general elections on December 22, marking the end of the country's prolonged transitional period since independence in 2011.
