SPLM-IO appoints more officials for diplomatic representation abroad
July 11, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudan’s armed opposition faction of the Sudan Peoples’ Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) has appointed more officials to represent the movement in countries abroad.
On Thursday, the former vice president and now armed opposition leader, Riek Machar, appointed Kennedy Losuk as economic promotion advisor for SPLM-IO. He also assigned Andrew Kuong Ruach as advisor on political affairs.
The rebel leader also appointed Kong James Tiong to represent the movement in Germany.
Last year the leadership appointed former member of South Sudan’s national parliament, Daniel Wuor Joak, to represent the opposition group in the Scandinavia. On Thursday, 9 July 2015, Machar appointed assistant representatives to deputize Joak in different countries of the Scandinavia.
These newly appointed assistant representatives include Luka Timothy Tutlam for Sweden, Sisto Pione Locco for Denmark and Gatluak Monykuany Bob for Finland.
Earlier, the opposition group appointed several diplomats to various countries in Africa and the rest of the world, saying they would be enlightening nations about the movement.
“The officials will be enlightening the host nations about the root causes of the war and the position of the SPLM/SPLA on how to resolve this crisis,” rebel leader’s spokesman, James Gatdet Dak, explained.
“They will also be establishing and promoting good relations between the Movement and the host nations,” he added.
Observers however see the move as a strategy by the rebels to plant their presence in those nations ahead of power-sharing arrangements with president Salva Kiir’s government that will include dividing ratios among diplomatic representations abroad.
Peace talks aimed to end the 19-month long civil war is expected to resume this mid-July in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, under a new mediation mechanism of IGAD-Plus which will involve countries and bodies beyond the African content.
MACHAR IN ADDIS ABABA
The opposition leader’s spokesman also revealed that Machar returned to the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, from Nairobi since Thursday, 9 July 2015, on his way back to his General Headquarters in Pagak, South Sudan.
He said the rebel leader while in Addis Ababa met with the former Ethiopian foreign minister and IGAD chief mediator, Seyoum Mesfin, and discussed a way forward in the anticipation of the resumption of the peace talks.
(ST)