Kiir travels to Kenya on first trip since dissolving government

South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit has travelled to Kenya for talks with President William Ruto, his first foreign trip since he dissolved the transitional unity government on Sept. 22 and formed a caretaker administration, his office said.

Kiir was seen off at Juba airport on Sunday by several senior government officials, including Caretaker Minister for Presidential Affairs Africano Mande Gedima, who was the last official to accompany the president as he boarded a chartered Ethiopian Airlines aircraft.

Presidential Press Secretary Arek Aldo Ajou said the visit is intended to strengthen ties between the two neighbouring countries.

“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 in a statement to the state-owned media.

The talks are also expected to cover economic and infrastructure cooperation, including the recent launch of a refinery in Kenya’s coastal Lamu region.

Ajou said the two countries would discuss their respective roles in supporting the refinery’s operations, amid efforts to deepen economic cooperation between the neighbours.

The visit also comes as South Sudan prepares for elections scheduled for Dec. 22, with Kiir’s caretaker administration seeking regional support for the electoral process.

Ajou said the trip would provide an opportunity to coordinate regional and continental support for the vote, adding that the security and success of the elections are important to stability in East Africa and beyond.

Kiir dissolved the transitional unity government less than three months before the scheduled elections and subsequently established a caretaker administration. The move removed the country’s five vice-presidents and left the new administration operating under a significantly altered political structure.

Kenya is a key regional partner for South Sudan and has previously been involved in efforts to support peace and political dialogue in the country.

Ajou’s statement confirming Kiir’s trip followed reports circulating on social media about the president’s health. It did not provide details about his health but confirmed that he had travelled to Kenya.

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