SPLM-IO media official downplays allegation of tensions in Juba

May 6, 2016 (JUBA) – A senior media official in the office of the First Vice-President, Riek Machar, has downplayed media reports of security tensions in Juba between bodyguards of the top leaders in the country.

Some media outlets have reported that security tensions occurred since Wednesday between Machar’s bodyguards and those of the President, Salva Kiir, which prevented the first vice-president from going to his office.

Machar since his swearing in into office 10 days ago on Tuesday last week has not yet started work in his official office, and has been doing his official meetings at his residence of Jebel Kujur in the outskirts of the city, about 5kms away from the presidential palace.

However, his press secretary, James Gatdet Dak, downplayed the report, saying unfinished preparations of the first vice-president’s office caused the delay.

“There is no security tension in Juba as reported in the media. What I know is that the office for the First Vice President is being arranged,” Dak said.

He however added that despite the lack of office, Machar also comes to office for official government’s meetings, including the council of ministers meeting.

“He has been coming to the government’s premises for important meetings. On Thursday he also chaired an induction workshop for the new transitional cabinet, and on Friday he co-chaired with President Salva Kiir the first sitting of the new cabinet,” he added.

Dak further explained that as soon as the office for the first vice-president and his staff is availed, he will officially begin to work in it.

MACHAR MEETS CHINESE ENVOY

Meanwhile Dak said Machar on Thursday met with the Special Envoy for South Sudan from the People’s Republic of China, Ambassador Zhong Zianhua, and discussed the role the Chinese government should play in supporting the implementation of the Peace Agreement in South Sudan.

“The meeting focused on the need for the Chinese government to support priority projects on peace and security in the country as well as services delivery to the needy people in South Sudan,” he said.

He said Machar reiterated the importance of doubling efforts by the Chinese government as a development partner to South Sudan to help the country in restoring peace and stabilizing the economy.

Machar, he said, appealed to the Chinese government to allocate to South Sudan some of the 16 billion US dollars China has earmarked for Africa.

On his part, the Chinese Special Envoy, Zianhua, expressed his country’s readiness to play a great role in the implementation of the peace agreement and in the stabilization of the country’s security and economy.

(ST)