South Sudan President Salva Kiir returned to Juba on Wednesday after an extended visit to the United Arab Emirates, state media reported.
The trip had sparked widespread rumours about his health, with members of his entourage privately telling AFP that Kiir underwent medical tests in the UAE.
Kiir, wearing his signature black cowboy hat and leaning on a cane, was warmly welcomed by government officials at the airport, video footage showed.
The South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation posted that the visit aimed to strengthen bilateral ties and explore new economic cooperation opportunities.
In May, South Sudan’s foreign ministry dismissed online rumours of Kiir’s death as baseless fabrications meant to destabilize the nation.
South Sudan remains fragile after months of unrest triggered by Kiir sidelining his vice-president and rival, Riek Machar, who has been under house arrest since March.
Kiir and Machar’s brutal five-year civil war claimed about 400,000 lives before a 2018 power-sharing agreement was reached.
The young nation risks sliding back into full-scale conflict amid rising tensions between rival factions.
The United Nations reported over 700 deaths between January and March this year, highlighting the worsening violence.
As the country’s future hangs in balance, Kiir’s return carries weighty hopes for stability and peace in South Sudan’s turbulent landscape.