STATEMENT BY H.E. PRESIDENT UHURU KENYATTA AFTER HOLDINGTALKS WITH FORMER SOUTH SUDAN VICE-PRESIDENT DR. RIEK MACHAR AT STATE HOUSE, NAIROBI, 30TH MAY 2014

By President Uhuru Kenyatta,

State House, Nairobi, Kenya.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

May 30, 2014(State House, Nairobi) — As am sure you are aware, over the last few days we have had a guest amongst us. As Kenyans well know, the people of South Sudan and the people of Kenya are one people. And our desire is to ensure that the people of South Sudan are able to return to normalcy, stability and for all of us in this region to work together for our mutual prosperity.

Towards that end,I want to thank my brother here for agreeing to visit Kenya and meet with us because we all see a way forward in getting a solution to the problems currently bedeviling South Sudan.Indeed, I take this opportunity to commend my brother for signing the 9^th of May of agreement, his dedication to the cessation of hostilities and to full humanitarian access to all people of South Sudan.

We are glad that the agreement recognizes the need for inclusion of all stakeholders in finding a permanent solution to the problems facing South Sudan. I take this opportunity to welcome my brother, and his entire team, to remain robustly engaged in contributing, in good faith, to a framework for political settlement to the current crisis in South Sudan.

We are encouraged that you are committed to the achievement of a government system that will allow for sustainable peace and development in South Sudan. It is, therefore, crucial and critical that all parties remain committed to our IGAD-riven negotiations, and to the agreement and formation of a transitional government of national unity.

We in the IGAD community will continue to give this process every support and encouragement that we can, and you can continue to rely on us.

In conclusion, I say once again that the only interest that Kenya – and in deed the region – has is a peaceful, stable and prosperous South Sudan that contributes not only to the wellbeing of its people but also to the growth and development of the entire region.

Thanks you.