South Sudan peace process top of agenda as Uhuru hosts South Africa’s Deputy President

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday held talks with South Africa’s Deputy President David Dabede Mabuza who briefed him on the progress made in the peace process in South Sudan.

Mr Mabuza, who was returning from Juba, informed President Kenyatta that he had met President Salva Kiir and his deputy Riek Machar and was assured that peace was taking root in the country.

South African Deputy President is a special envoy to South Sudan and has regularly updated President Kenyatta who has been at the forefront in bringing back full stability in South Sudan.

“We are happy with the progress being made in the peace process in South Sudan but we are also very concerned with the suffering of the common people,” said President Kenyatta.

Deputy President Mabuza, who was accompanied by South Africa’s High Commissioner to Kenya Ambassador, Koleka Anita Mqulwana, also briefed the President on progress made in easing visa rules between Kenya and South Africa.

“We are on course to resolve all issues concerning visa rules and making travel between Kenya and South Africa easy. We are in talks with the officials of the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government,” the envoy said.

Currently, government officials are able to travel to South Africa without a visa.

President Kenyatta also received an invitation from his South African counterpart Cyril Ramaphosa to make a State visit to Pretoria before this year ends and during a period when the country goes to elections.

The Kenyan leader also extended an invitation to President Ramaphosa to visit Kenya.