South Sudanese envoy urges Machar to return home

February 28, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – The outgoing South Sudanese ambassador to Ethiopia, Bona Akoul has urged rebel leader, Riek Machar to return to the capital, Juba.

In an interview with the state-owned Ethiopia’s Broadcasting Corporation (EBC), Akoul said the first vice-president designate should immediately return for the swift formation of the long-awaited Transitional Government of National Unity with President Salva Kiir.

Machar’s absence, he said, was delaying formation of the unity government and encouraged the former to present his team for the new government.

“He [Machar] has to be in Juba. Once he is in Juba, I am sure a government will be formed by next week”, the outgoing envoy told EBC on Saturday.

He further urged the Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to exert relentless efforts for full implementation of South Sudan’s peace deal.

Akoul said IGAD, the mediator of South Sudan peace process, should continue extending support and guiding both warring factions in order to overcome setbacks holding back the implementation of the agreement.

Tens of thousands of people were killed and nearly two million displaced by the conflict which erupted in South Sudan in December 2013 following disagreements the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).

For the past two years, Ethiopia and other IGAD member states has been exerting relentless efforts to arrest the conflict in the youngest African nation which killed tens of thousands and displace over two million people.

With the help of international partners, regional mediators have finally succeeded in helping both warring factions strike a final peace deal in August 2015. Implementation, however, still remains a challenge.

(ST)