April 18th 2019 (Nyamilepedia) – Main armed opposition leader, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, will not return to Juba without the completion of the security arrangements provided for in the agreement signed last year, a close aide has said.
Last week, South Sudan President, Salva Kiir Mayardiit, invited Machar to Juba for the formation of the revitalized unity government as the May 12th dateline approaches.
Preparations needed in place before the formation of the unity government such as the amalgamation of forces and number of states has not been completed.
“We are saying extend the period for more months, say six. We have not done even training of few people, and it is a prerequisite for forming the government,” Puot Kang Chol, a member of the National Pre-transitional Committee (NPTC) representing Machar told Al Jazeera.
The NPTC is the body charged with implementing the peace agreement.
Put said his boss, Machar, “will not come to Juba without security arrangements” adding that: “You cannot form a government without knowing the number of states.”
“Basically, what we are saying is extend the time, provide the resources … and we will have the government in place,” he further added.
