Machar and Canadian diplomats confer on future of democracy in South Sudan

November 6, 2013 (JUBA) – Former South Sudan’s vice-president, Riek Machar Teny, and Canadian diplomats from Khartoum and Juba, Andrea Schoenauer and Nicholas Coghlan, respectively, on Wednesday discussed a wide range of issues, among which was the future of democracy in the new independent state.

The meeting, according to his press secretary James Gatdet Dak, examined the ongoing political processes and the challenges faced as the country moves toward 2015 general elections, stressing the importance of establishing a solid democratic foundation in the country.

The former VP, also the deputy chairman of the ruling party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), and the Western diplomats further discussed the role the international community should play to support the new nation in the path of building democracy and avoiding dictatorship.

Machar who is increasingly vocal in his criticism to the government warned that the country was only one step away from a full blown dictatorship unless bold steps were taken to avert the trend by supporting democratic processes.

The former vice-president fell out with president Salva Kiir Mayardit after criticizing the way the head of state was handling national issues, citing tribalism, corruption, economy, insecurity, poor international relations as well as loss of vision and direction in the ruling party as pressing challenges.

He declared his intention to contest for the top job and vowed to democratically unseat the president by 2015.

His press secretary Dak also told Sudan Tribune that the discussions further touched on the relations between South Sudan and Sudan, particularly on fate of Abyei and the two areas of Blue Nile and South Kordofan.

(ST)