Greater Bor delegation congratulate VP Machar

May 9, 2016 (JUBA) – A delegation from the Greater Bor region on Monday met and congratulated South Sudan’s first vice-president, Riek Machar Teny in the capital,Juba.

The team, led by the armed opposition governor for Jonglei state, Alier Ateny congratulated Machar with a certificate. Ateny, who hails from Bor county, was one of the leaders who joined armed rebellion against government for 21 months.

Ateny praised Machar for his active involvement in the recent formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) and wished him the best in the post.

Machar, the leader of the armed opposition faction, was appointed first vice-president in accordance with provisions of a regional-mediated peace deal that ended fighting.

The state-owned SSTV on Monday showed footages of the meeting between the Greater Bor leader and Machar, but no verbal communications were immediately broadcast.

Although Ateny had no direct role in the armed opposition struggle against the government, he maintained leadership of Jonglei in the 21 states proposed by Machar.

In October last year, South Sudan President Salva Kiir increased the numbers of states to 28 from the initial 10, a decision that was opposed by the armed opposition faction.

(ST)