Government says Machar is to blame for failure to form unity gov’t

November 26^th 2019 (Nyamilepedia) – South Sudan government said on Tuesday that main armed opposition leader Dr.  Riek Machar Teny was to blame for failure of the parties to the agreement to form a unity government by a November 12^th deadline.

This came a day after the United States recalled its ambassador to Juba on Monday after the government and other signatories to the revitalized peace agreement failed to meet last week’s November 12^th deadline for formation of the Reconstituted Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU).

The US said in a statement on Monday that it was re-evaluating ties with Salva Kiir’s government which has been accused by many internationals of lacking the political will needed to bring peace to the world’s youngest nation.

In a statement issued this afternoon, South Sudan’s foreign ministry said Machar was to blame for the unity government delay because he was the one who requested that the action be delayed for six months and that the government accepted to avert return to war as Machar threatened to.

“The initial request for extension was by Dr. Riek Machar, Chairman of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army – In Opposition, and for a six-month extension, short of which he threatened a return to war,” the statement said.

“However the regional guarantors of the R-ARCSS convened a Tripartite Summit in Entebbe, Uganda on 7 November 2019, which decided to extend the pre-transitional period by 100 days,” the statement added.

The statement further reiterated the government commitment to the revitalized peace agreement it signed with opposition groups in September last year appreciating the regional and international support to the agreement.

“The Government of the Republic of South Sudan is committed to the implementation of the R-ARCSS in letter and spirit. The Government further appreciates the positions of the IGAD, the African Union, the United Nations, the European Union, Troika and others in support of the 100 days extension, and is committed to work with peace partners in the process of achieving a lasting peace in South Sudan,” the statement said.