South Sudanese rebel leader wants a new chapter of peace

January 27, 2016 (KAMPALA) – The leader of South Sudan’s armed opposition faction (SPLM-IO|), Riek Machar has hinted on starting what he described as a new chapter of the peace process in the young nation.

This emerged as Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni and the South Sudanese armed opposition leader met in Kampala to discuss peace in South Sudan.

“I want to start a new chapter of peace and friendship,” Machar assured.

A 15-member delegation that included Angelina Teny, the chairperson of SPLM-IO national committee for security and defense, Ezekeil Lol Gatkuoth, the SPLM-IO chairperson for the national committee on foreign affairs and Peter Odwok, the armed opposition’s national chairperson for the committee for training and research among others, accompanied Machar to meet the Ugandan leader.

The opposition delegation briefed Museveni on the progress and steps so far taken to fully implement the negotiated peace process in South Sudan.

Museveni and the SPLM-IO delegation reportedly discussed numbers of issues pertaining to the political, economic, security and humanitarian situation in South Sudan as well as the role and mandate of the East African regional bloc (IGAD) in bringing about lasting peace in South Sudan.

Museveni, the presidential press unit said in a statement, commended the progress so far made in bringing about peace and stability in South Sudan and the positive response of the two sides.

He pledged the Ugandan government’s support to ensure lasting peace returns to South Sudan.

(ST)