June 6th, 2018(Nyamilepedia) —– Responding to media reports alleging that the two South Sudan principles, Dr. Machar and Mr. Kiir, will meet in Khartoum, Sudan, and that the two warring parties have agreed, the SPLM/A[IO] National Committee Chairman and Public Relations, Cde. Mabior Garang de Mabior, has categorically denied any knowledge about the venue of the “face-to-face” meeting between his chairman and C-in-C of SPLM/A[IO], Dr Riek Machar and President Salva Kiir.
According to Hon. Mabior, a former Minister of Transitional Government of National Unity that expired on July 8th, 2016, the news that have alleged a Face-to-Face meeting between Machar and Kiir are “malicious propaganda”.
The SPLM/A[IO] calls on supporters and general public to not pay any attention to such reports until further communication.
“The leadership of the SPLM/A[IO] would like to inform our members, the people of South Sudan and the world at large, not to pay attention to the disinfomation coming ouyt of the propaganda machine of the regime, alleging that a face to face meeting was to take place between president Salva Kiir and Dr. Machar in Khartoum, Sudan.” Hon. Mabior said.
Mr. Garang denied that his chairman has refused to meet president Kiir as alleged in social media reports.
“This malicious propaganda further alleges that the chairman and commander in Chief of the People Movement, Dr. Riek Machar Teny is unwillingness to meet with President Salva Kiir due to mistrust for IGAD leaders.” The IO Statement continued.
“This is simply not true and the SPLM/A(IO) categorically condemns this” The statement added.
According to Mabior the initiative for a face-to-face meeting is a formal request from Kiir’s government to Kenya’s Envoy, Hon. Raila Odinga, to mediate Kiir and Machar, however, no venue has been decided upon so far.
“The truth is that the SPLM/A(IO) has not received any official communication regarding the venue of any prospective “face-to-face” meeting between President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar. ” Mabior said
“However, the movement is aware of the initiative by the regime in Juba requesting, Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, to mediate between the principals of the two major warring parties in the South Sudan conflict.” He continued
Dr. Machar Willing To Engage Kiir Face to Face
Although Dr. Machar has turned down requests by government delegations to meet him in his cell in Pretoria a few times in the past, he is more than happy to meet with President Kiir.
“Despite the propaganda of the regime and for the sake of peace, the SPLM/A(IO) Chairman and Commander in Chief, Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, is more than happy to meet with President Salva Kiir in any IGAD Country including Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda; or any country outside the region, including Mauritania” The SPLM/A(IO) Chairman of National Committee for Information and Public Relations, Mabior Garang de Mabior, said.
The SPLM/A(IO) reiterates its full commitment to the peace process and promise that it shall continue to engage positively with IGAD and all friends of people of South Sudan who are interested in helping South Sudan achieve peace.
The reports of Face-to-face meeting between Machar and Kiir in Khartoum, Sudan, started coming out of Juba late last week after a Sudanese government delegation led by Sudan’s new foreign minister Al-Dirdiri Mohamed Ahmed, Sudan’s petroleum minister, Azhari Abdalla and Sudan’s intelligence chief, Gen. Salah Gosh visited the world’s most remote capital, Juba.
The meeting, however, deliberated more on petroleum production and cross border security arrangement.
South Sudan, which depends entirely on oil, is trying to get Sudan army into its oilfields to secure oil production in one of the most volatile areas like Unity State.
South Sudan is facing acute economic collapse as inflation rocks the goods market and embassies continue to shutdown, one after another.
For the last 4 years, South Sudan has not been able to pay off its debts, salaries and rents, which is now forcing many landlords to drag South Sudan to courts to demand payments.
The reduction of oil production as a consequence of war coupled with drop in oil prices in the world market and now sanctions from supper power, South Sudan’s leaders have no options left but to restore peace and stability, however, attempts by the regional bloc to secure a meaningful peace agreement and permanent ceasefire arrangements have failed so far.
1 comment
Abusive like Riek Machar shouldn’t be allow back again.