S. Sudan urges region to isolate former rebel leader Machar
August 26, 2016 (JUBA)- South Sudan said it is seeking assurance of support from the countries in the region that armed opposition leader and the former first vice president, Riek Machar, would not use their respective territories as a haven for hostile activities.
“As the government we appreciate the way the countries in the region have responded to our views on the resolution of the united nation security council. There are countries which are seeing the logic in our reservations and have indicated readiness to support engagement with the United Nations, the region and the international community”, Gatluak exclusively told Sudan Tribune.
He added, “We also want these countries in the region to go beyond understanding our position on the resolution of the Security Council to include commitment to denying those who would not be ready to cooperate in the implementation of the agreement any support. Such people should not be given safe haven”.
The top presidential aide said they would approach the region to persuade armed opposition leader to denounce violence and try to play a positive role in the implementation of peace agreement in the interest of peace and stability of the people and to avoid returning the country to war once more.
“The region should persuade Riek Machar and his group to denounce violence and encourage them to play a positive role in the implementation of peace agreement”, said the aide.
“The region should not accept to allow him use any country as launching pad to derail implementation of the peace agreement. He and his group should be denied any safe haven if they refuse to denounce violence”, he further stressed.
(ST)