President Salva Kiir Mayardit on Sunday travelled to Kenya for high-level talks with President William Ruto, with discussions expected to focus on bilateral relations, South Sudan’s electoral preparations, economic cooperation and regional stability.
The visit is President Kiir’s first foreign trip since the dissolution of the Transitional Government of National Unity, as South Sudan prepares for elections scheduled for December 22, 2026.
Presidential Press Secretary Ambassador Arek Ajou Deng says the discussions are expected to focus on measures required to ensure peaceful, credible and successful elections.
“The discussions during this visit are expected to focus on bilateral relations, South Sudan’s electoral preparations, and the measures required to ensure peaceful, credible, and successful elections,” Ajou said.
The two leaders are also expected to discuss economic and infrastructure cooperation, including the recently launched refinery in Lamu and the respective roles South Sudan and Kenya will play in supporting its operations.
Ajou said the engagement reflects the importance of closer economic cooperation and the development of strategic regional infrastructure for the mutual benefit of the two countries and the wider region.
The visit is also expected to provide an opportunity for South Sudan and Kenya to coordinate broader regional and continental support for South Sudan’s elections.
Ajou said the security and success of the elections are important not only to South Sudan but also to regional stability.
“As highlighted last week during the AUC5 meeting, the security and the success of elections in South Sudan are vital not only for our country but also to the stability of the East African Community, the whole of Africa, and the entire continent,” he said.
The talks come as South Sudan prepares for its first elections since independence, with the government seeking regional and international support for the electoral process.
Ajou said President Kiir’s visit reaffirms South Sudan’s commitment to regional cooperation, peaceful elections and engagement with neighbouring countries and the international community.
“President Kiir’s visit reaffirms South Sudan’s commitment to regional cooperation, commitment to peaceful elections, and constructive engagement with the neighbours and the international community,” he said.
