S.Sudan: Kenya's president Uhuru Kenyatta pays mediation visit to Juba

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta visits Juba, in efforts mediate the South Sudan conflict and accelerate peace implementation.

We will offer the people of South Sudan our support both moral and material. pic.twitter.com/lCwsNg1dtn

— Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) August 30, 2016

President Kenyatta was in Juba on a one-day visit to the five-year-old nation, in efforts to mediate the crisis and accelerate peace implementation.

In their joint press conference however, the two leaders did not mention anything on the proposed deployment of 4000 strong protection forces in the country.

“We are here to offer any kind of support, moral or otherwise that we could give to accelerate so that we can ensure we have peace and stability and the ultimately working together as a region to begin to work for the prosperity of our region and our people.”

President Kenyatta is now the first head of State to visit Juba following the renewed fighting that broke out in July, which forced former Vice President Riek Machar and his forces to flee the capital.

The five-day gun battle left 300 people, forcing thousands to flee to neighbouring countries.

President Kiir replaced Machar as first vice president with Taban Deng, a move that received wide international criticism.

South Sudan had also floated a loan request to Kenya to help it continue with the process of returning back to peace, according to CCTV Africa.