Machar says may not return to Juba before demilitarization
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February 12, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – The newly appointed South Sudanese
First Vice President, Riek Machar, who leads an armed opposition
faction, stressed Friday on the need to demilitarize the capital Juba
in order for him to return to the national capital, Juba, and take up
his new position in the government.
JPEG - 13.4 kb
South Sudanese rebel leader Riek Machar looks on during an interview
at his residence on August 31, 2015 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (Photo
AFP /Zacharias Abubeker)
The opposition leadership responded to his “surprise” appointment on
Thursday as First Vice President by President Salva Kiir and the
subsequent directive from the president giving seven days to report to
Juba and form with him a transitional government of national unity
(TGoNU).
“The Chairman and Commander-in-Chief of SPLM/SPLA (IO), Dr. Riek
Machar, has clearly stated, time and again, his willingness to return
to Juba any time soon. However, this strictly depends on how fast the
government demilitarizes Juba and arrival of the 2,910 SPLA-IO units
of the joint forces in the capital,” James Gatdet Dak, the opposition
leader’s spokesman, quoted the position of Machar.
Machar told Reuters on Friday he would only come back if the
government went through with what he said was a promise to
demilitarize the capital Juba. He said he had not spoken to Kiir since
August.
"If this is done within a week’s time, it would accelerate my going
back to Juba," Machar said by phone from Cairo. "If it takes two
weeks, then I will wait for two weeks."
Dak told Sudan Tribune on Friday that without the implementation of
the security arrangements in the capital in accordance with the peace
agreement; it is unrealistic for Machar to return to Juba within the 7
days suggested by President Kiir.
“This is the reason we said the appointment of the First Vice
President was rushed and did not follow the sequence of the
implementation of the peace agreement. Although it is in line with the
provisions of the power sharing agreement, it is a redundant action
because the First Vice President will not take oath of office until he
arrives in Juba,” he said.
He said Machar expected Kiir to instead concentrate on the
demilitarization of the capital and transportation of the opposition
forces into Juba before appointing deputies or forming a unity
government, saying these were the priorities set out in the peace
agreement and confirmed by the recent IGAD communique.
Dak said it seemed there is an “ill-intention” rush to skip some of
the “very important” provisions in the peace agreement, which he said
was not healthy for safeguarding the agreement and building trust.
As the government celebrates blessing from IGAD communiqué to skip the
constitution and form a new government without it, as well as provide
a space for consensual dialogue “within the context of TGoNU” on its
unilaterally created 28 states, the government also seems to be happy
with Machar returning to Juba without first demilitarizing the capital
and deploying the opposition forces, with the exception of few
hundreds of personal bodyguards of the opposition leader.
While the opposition faction of SPLM-IO accepted the IGAD’s sudden
change of sequence by putting constitutional amendment after formation
of the new government, the opposition said they will not form the
government until their forces are in Juba.
“We will not accept this. Dr. Machar will not return to Juba until the
capital is demilitarized and our forces are deployed. This is what the
peace agreement says. It is for rebuilding trust as well as for
protection and deterrence. Somebody has to understand that this is
very important,” he said.
However reports from Juba say that senior political and military
leaders in President Kiir’s government resist the demilitarization of
the capital, which should have taken place since November last year
with the President until Thursday calling on the military leadership
to withdraw forces.
Dak revealed that President Kiir has refused an invitation to Cairo by
the Egyptian President to meet with the opposition leader who is on
visit to Cairo so that they discuss some outstanding issues in the
peace agreement.
(ST)
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13 February 07:42, by dinkdong
Scared for your life, huh? You better!
repondre message
13 February 08:05, by Malakal county Simon
Loud and clear...... Demilitarise Juba first, then Dr machar
will come after...... Very simple thing to understand!!
repondre message
13 February 08:13, by Force 1
The blood of innocent civilians who dies will never go alone
without those responsible for their death. You don’t have to be in the
army uniform to be deadly but you can be without!
repondre message
13 February 08:47, by Mi diit
Dr. Machar oyeee!
This is a great, correct and right decision to make.
Kiir and his cohorts should not be allowed to violate the
peace agreement by turning it upside down and planning to harm Machar
in Juba without a constitution and protection force.
IGAD should be warned not to be used by Kiir in this deadly game.
repondre message
13 February 10:22, by Dinka-Defender-General
Machar, Juba is safe. Remember Taban Deng and other
leaders in your party are here. They are safe and living normal live.
Thus, why are refusing to come back to Juba? Please don’t delay the
peace process. Loyal and dedicated general DDG. I am heroes bones,
land, and citizen lives protector.
repondre message
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