Kenya: Ruto Pledges Kenya's Support for South Sudan Elections, Urges Dialogue

What the report says

President William Ruto has said Kenya will support South Sudan as it prepares for December elections, while urging leaders in Juba to rely on dialogue and consensus during the country’s transition. The remarks followed talks with South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit at State House in Nairobi, according to the Capital FM report distributed by AllAfrica. Kiir was in Kenya for his first foreign trip since dissolving the transitional unity government and setting up a caretaker administration.

The article says South Sudan is scheduled to vote on December 22, with the election seen as a key step toward ending a long transitional period that has been repeatedly delayed since independence in 2011. Ruto’s comments came as regional and international actors continue to call for a peaceful, credible and inclusive process. The African Union has also urged a peaceful conclusion to the transition and transparent polls.

Beyond the election issue, the two leaders discussed bilateral ties and economic cooperation. Ruto said Kenya and South Sudan want to expand trade and investment opportunities, and he thanked Kiir for South Sudan’s participation in the launch of the Dangote East Africa Refinery in Lamu. The South Sudanese presidency said the talks focused on strengthening relations and on measures to support peaceful elections.

The development matters because stability in South Sudan is important to Kenya’s regional security and economic interests, including cross-border trade, infrastructure and wider East African cooperation.