Juba warns against diplomatic attempts to block Kiir’s presidential bid
September 24, 2014 (JUBA) – South Sudanese government officials said Tuesday that any diplomatic discussions seeking to persuade president Salva Kiir against contesting for future elections were unrealistic and should instead be decided by the country’s citizens.
“My previous visits on peace mission to Kampala and the subsequent visit by the president for similar purpose have yielded meaningful results. The regional leaders and the international have now started to know the truth about the events of December 15, and they have started to respond appropriately,” said Igga.
He said the president’s visit to the United States in August and subsequent trips to other African nations enabled him to express his government’s commitment to peacefully end the ongoing conflict.
“These visits have been a big diplomatic achievement and I want us to consolidate these efforts and it is you to convey clearly to our people that the government they elected is for peace,” said Igga.
Any diplomatic discussions and reports aimed at persuading the president not to contest future elections should not be decided by anybody, but the people of South Sudan, stressed the vice-president.
“They have come again with another proposal which has sparked discussions through our diplomatic channels and it is already in the media. These reports are suggesting that the president should accept not to contest future elections,” Igga said on Tuesday.
“We have not been officially approached, but I think this is an issue which should be left to our people to decide,” he said.
Speaking at this year’s speakers’ forum, Igga stressed that his boss was overwhelmingly voted for by citizens in the 2010 elections, and should be allowed to decide whether he returns or leave power.
“It cannot be decided by anybody else. It is a decision that must come directly from them because they are ones with power to elect and rejects. It is not up to me or the president to decide,” he said.
The comments came at the back of renewed military clashes in which both warring sides claimed to have made against each other in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state areas of Renk and Majok.
Government troops say they were able to repulse attack launched on their positions by rebel fighters during which scores were reportedly killed, injured with some of them allegedly captured.
“[The] SPLA are in full control of Renk and Majok,” army spokesman Col. Philip Aguer said, adding that 164 rebel fighters were killed.
However, Brigadier General, Lul Ruai Koang, who speaks for the rebel fighters allied to the former vice president, Riek Machar, disputed the account reflective of the government version.
“These” are imaginary figures,” Koang said of the government’s claims.
“In all the clashes, 280 government forces have been killed in the 11 locations in Upper Nile that have been affected,” he added.
(ST)