March 28, 2022 — In response to Machar’s written statement, which surfaced first thing on Monday morning condemning the “provocative act of terror” in the strongest terms possible, South Sudan president, Salva Kiir Mayardit, has responded justifying the deployment of troops around Machar’s compound as a normal security measures to ensure the First Vice President gets a maximum protection amid rising political tensions between the two camps.
Although the First Vice President said he was never consulted on his security status nor did he request for deployment of extra troops, President Kiir thinks it was a kind gesture for him to deploy troops anyway to ensure no unknown gunmen comes near Machar’s compound with intention to spray unwarranted bullets into or around Machar’s residence to instigate another dogfight like it happened in December 2013 and July 2016.
“These people may go and shoot gun near the house of Riek Machar, we might think that it is Riek that has begun attacking people. So, the presence of security forces in the streets does not mean that there is insecurity in Juba, it is not,” Kiir justifies.
Kiir also justified military activities that Machar thinks are terrorizing and sending panic across the country and abroad.
“There is no problem of insecurity in the streets of Juba. What is being done in Juba by the army and security forces is a normal thing. It can happen in any country because here in Juba there are criminals who have embedded themselves among the citizens,” Kiir said.
Kiir blames the SPLM/A-IO for its recent statements but denied reports of rising tension in Juba, saying everything is normal.
On his part, Machar condemns the deployment of troops and showcasing of military power by Salva Kiir saying it’s provocative and condemnable.
“It was a provocative and condemnable act reminiscent of incidents of December 15, 2013; J1 July 8, 2016; and the last week unnecessary parading of the newly acquired heavy weapons and APCs for the National Police, which are still in the streets of Juba. These create terror and panic,” The First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, said.
The First Vice President called the deployment of troops “disruptive”, saying it is weakening trust and confidence building, reconciliation and healing.
“Such an action is disruptive to the peace implementation process and weakens trust and confidence building, reconciliation and healing amongst the people, and dialogue among the parties to Agreement,” Machar said in the statement.
Unlike president Kiir, who believes these exercises are normal, Machar reiterates that Kiir’s activities have terrorized people within and outside the country.
“It creates doubts nationally, regionally and internationally and reflects very poorly on the commitment of the parties to resolve their issues peacefully” Machar said.
“The deployment throughout the night created unnecessary tension and panic amongst the immediate neighbors, the citizens in Juba, the rest of the country and worldwide.”He added.
