South Sudanese President Salva Kiir has returned to the capital Juba following a prolonged stay in the United Arab Emirates, state media reported on Wednesday—a trip that had sparked speculation about his health.
Kiir, who departed for the UAE on June 22, was reportedly undergoing medical examinations, according to members of his delegation who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity. His arrival at Juba airport was marked by an official reception, with video footage from the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation showing the 72-year-old leader, wearing his trademark black cowboy hat and leaning lightly on a cane, being greeted by government officials.
In a Facebook post, the state broadcaster described the UAE visit as one aimed at “strengthening bilateral relations and exploring new avenues for economic cooperation.”
Rumours about Kiir’s wellbeing had been circulating online in recent weeks, prompting the South Sudanese foreign ministry in May to issue a statement dismissing the claims of his death as “entirely baseless and irresponsible” and accusing unnamed parties of attempting to destabilise the country.
Kiir’s return comes amid mounting political tension in South Sudan, where his strained relationship with Vice-President Riek Machar has re-emerged as a flashpoint. Machar was placed under house arrest in March, escalating fears of renewed conflict in the troubled nation.
The two men were central figures in a devastating five-year civil war that resulted in the deaths of approximately 400,000 people. Although a power-sharing deal was signed in 2018, the agreement remains fragile.
On Wednesday, the United Nations reported that over 700 civilians were killed in the first three months of this year alone, underscoring growing instability as the country grapples with worsening violence and a deepening humanitarian crisis.
