South Sudanese rebel leader in South Africa for AU summit
June 11, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudan’s rebel leader, Riek Machar, is in South Africa to participate in the African Union (AU) summit by heads of state and government in the continent, his spokesman has revealed to Sudan Tribune on Thursday.
“Yes, the chairman and commander-in-chief of SPLM/SPLA, Dr Riek Machar, has been invited to participate in the upcoming AU summit of heads of state and government in South Africa,” he said.
“He arrived in South Africa on Thursday from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia,” he said.
Dak also added that the summit will likely discuss the current situation in South Sudan with regard to the peace process between the warring parties in the country.
President Salva Kiir, Machar’s rival, is also invited to the summit, despite allegations that his health problems would not allow his active participation in the debates.
The summit is expected to take place on Monday, 15 June, in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Meanwhile consultations between the warring parties and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) reportedly concluded on Wednesday in Addis Ababa, but IGAD is yet to announce the outcome and the date for resumption of negotiations between the parties.
(ST)