BREAKING: Machar to relocate to Ethiopia in early July

June 8th 2018 (Nyamilepedia) – South Sudan’s prominent opposition and SPLM-IO leader Riek Machar Teny will be relocated to Ethiopia where South Sudan peace talks have been ongoing since 2014 in early July 2018, sources attached to the First Vice-President told the Nyamilepedia on Friday.

Officials in Pretoria attached to the former South Sudan’s First Vice-President said they were informed by the Kenyan peace envoy and former Prime Minister that Machar will relocate to the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa in early July after the conclusion of the planned face-to-face meeting between the South Sudanese President, Salva Kiir and the rebel leader due for late this month.

“We were informed today that our Chairman and Commander-in-Chief H.E Dr. Riek Machar will relocate to the Ethiopian capital where peace talks are taking place,” the source said.

The high-ranking SPLM-IO official told the Nyamilepedia that Machar and Kiir will attend the next round of talks after their face-to-face meeting but could not confirm whether Machar’s transfer to Ethiopia will be a complete release or a limited chance for him to attend the peace talks.

“Yes the Chairman will attend the next round of talks in mid July but I cannot tell you whether the Chairman will be completely set free or will remain under detention,” he told the Nyamilepedia.

Machar met today the former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga who traveled to the South African capital to meet Machar and Ramaphosa in an efforts to try to bring together the rebel leader and his arch-rival, the South Sudanese President Salva Kiir.