December 23rd 2018 (Nyamilepedia) – A top opposition commander of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army in Opposition (SPLA-IO) led by the country’s former First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny has arrived in the Northern Liech state capital Bentiu ahead of the opposition governor Brig. Gen. Tor Tungwar Kueiguong who is also expected today .
Several sources in Bentiu told the Nyamilepedia this morning that Maj. Gen. John Turuk Khor, the opposition Fourth Infantry Division (A) commander arrived on Saturday in the capital Bentiu as a part of a security team sent by the main armed opposition group.
“Yes John Turuk Khor and his accompanying delegation is here,” a government official familiar with his arrival told the Nyamilepedia on the condition of anonymity.
The government official further said the arrival of the top opposition commander is a important step in the confident-building process to fully implement the revitalized peace agreement signed in the Sudanese capital Khartoum adding that the opposition governor will arrive this afternoon and peace celebration will be conducted on Monday.
“This is an important step in the peace implementation and as we expect the opposition governor Tor Tungwar this afternoon, we urge the citizens of northern Liech to come out in big numbers on Monday for peace celebration,” the official added.
Under regional and international pressure, South Sudan President, Salva Kiir Mayardiit and opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar Teny signed a peace deal in September in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to end the war.
The agreement in Addis Ababa followed months of intense negotiations among delegates of the government and opposition who must, by the time, sign a pact or face international or further regional isolation.
The government in late October conducted a peace celebration ceremony in the capital Juba and was attended by regional leaders as well as the SPLM-IO leader Dr. Machar.
