S. Sudan’s Machar travels to Egypt for talks with President al-Sisi
February 3, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – South Sudan’s former Vice-President, Riek Machar, will travel to the Egyptian capital, Cairo, on Wednesday evening for talks with President Abdel Fattah al Sisi, on the implementation of the peace agreement signed in August by warring parties in South Sudan.
“The President of Arab Republic of Egypt H.E. General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi invited H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, First Vice President Designate of the Republic of South Sudan and Chairman and Commander in Chief of SPLM/SPLA (IO) to discuss the implementation of the Agreement for the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan and bilateral relations between Egypt and South Sudan,” Gatkuoth posted in various blogs.
“Dr. Machar will leave for Cairo, Egypt on February 3, 2016. This visit is historic and it is the first ever visit Dr. Machar had since the war broke out in South Sudan in December 15, 2013,” he said.
He added that Machar will be accompanied by “Madame Angelina Teny, Chairperson, National Committee for Defence and Security and First Lady of SPLM/SPLA (IO), Dr. Dhieu Mathok Diing, Secretary General SPLM, and Ambassador Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, Chairperson, National Committee for Foreign Affairs.”
The visit comes two days after the IGAD Council of Ministers on the sideline of the African Union summit issued a communique urging the parties to form a transitional government of national unity (TGoNU) as soon as possible.
The communiqué called on President Salva Kiir’s government to suspend the creation of 28 states, saying it is inconsistent with the provisions of the peace agreement which is based on the existing 10 states of the country.
The statement further urged the parties to implement the first phase of the security arrangements by deploying joint police and military forces in the capital, Juba, and other states capitals, before a unity government is formed.
The visit to Egypt will be the first of its kind by Machar since South Sudan became independent in July 2011.
It also comes a week after the opposition’s top leader visited Uganda and held talks with President Yoweri Museveni.
(ST)