Machar pays condolences to Wanji family, terrorist attack in Ivory Coast
March 16, 2016 (ADDIS ABABA) – The leader of the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), Riek Machar, also the South Sudanese first vice president designate, has issued a message of condolences to the family of late Professor Bari Wani, who passed on in the national capital, Addis Ababa.
“Words cannot express my sorrow and grief in this hour of morning,” he said, adding “Our thoughts and prayers shall be with you in this difficult time.”
Wanji, a member of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and a former chairman of specialized Committee for Finance and Economic affairs in the National Legislative Assembly, died on Monday in the national capital, Juba.
He was also a chairman of Public Accounts Committee in Sudanese government in Khartoum before South Sudan broke away and established an independent state in July 2011.
Late Wanji who was born in 1936 died at the age of 80, according to his family sources.
Wanji hails from Golo ethnic community in Wau county of Western Bahr el Ghazal state. He was elected to the parliament in Juba in 2010.
The late has been suffering from illness for a long time which resulted to his demise.
A family member told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday that the South Sudan national parliament administration was in contact with them for arrangements over the preparations for his burial in Wau, his home town.
Meanwhile, South Sudan president, Salva Kiir, has described Wanji’s death as a great loss to the people of South Sudan, “not only the people of Wau state.”
CONDOLENCES FOR IVORY COAST ATTACK
The South Sudanese first vice president designate also sent a condolence message to the President of Ivory Coast, Alassane Ouattara, for the recent terrorist attack in his country which left at least 16 people dead, when terrorist suspected to be affiliated to the Al-Qaeda bombed Bassam Grand Resort.
“Your Excellency, it is with deep sorrow and sadness that I am sending you this message of condolences for the victims of the terror attack on the Bassam Grand Resort that has left 16 people dead,” reads the message from Machar.
“We condemn in the strongest term possible this horrific and terrible act by the terrorists Al-Qaeda affiliated group…My thoughts and prayers are with the families of victims and the entire population of the peace loving people of Ivory Coast,” he said.
He said the “SPLM/SPLA-IO and the South Sudanese in general” stood with the country in the terrible tragedy.
(ST)