South Sudan rebel delegation heads to China
September 20, 2014 (ADDIS ABABA) – A high-level delegation from South Sudan’s rebel faction under the leadership of former vice-president Riek Machar is heading to China for bilateral talks with the government, a spokesperson said.
Among the delegation also include Hussein Mar Nyuot, chairperson for humanitarian committee and Richard K Mulla, chairperson for justice and human rights committee.
Dak said the visit comes in response to an invitation extended to the rebels leadership by the Chinese government.
“The main purpose of the visit is to prepare the ground for an expected visit of our Chairman, Dr Riek Machar Teny, who has been invited to Beijing to meet the Chinese top leadership. They will hold bilateral talks with officials of the Peoples Republic of China and try to forge mutual understanding,” Dak further stated.
This could be the first time for the Chinese government to invite non-state actors to Beijing.
China is trying to play unusual role in the current South Sudanese conflict when it also decided to send troops as part of the United Nations mission to keep peace in the region.
The communist nation remains the largest oil dealer with the South Sudanese government and may want to play an active role with both sides in the conflict in order to safeguard its economic interests in the region.
By inviting the South Sudanese rebels, observers say China may want to forge an understanding with the opposition faction in fear of uncertainty.
Machar’s rebel faction of the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM-in-Opposition) have been accusing Beijing of financing president Salva Kiir’s government and selling weaponry to the regime to fight the war.
(ST)