The South Sudanese opposition has deposed its leader and the country's vice-president Riek Machar. A section of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-in-Opposition ( SPLM-IO) appointed minister of mining and SPLM-IO chief negotiator Taban Deng Gai as the acting vice-president, at least until Machar returns to the capital Juba.
According to the report, the move came as Machar's whereabouts are unknown, after he fled Juba following the deadly fighting that left at least 300 people dead earlier in July.
Furthermore, Machar, who accused government forces of opening fire on his troops, said he would return to the capital once a third party force is deployed to ensure his and his officials' protection.
"In our resolution also General Taban Deng Gai promised all of us and he will say it to you all, 'I will be the First Vice President of The Republic of South Sudan and if [Riek Machar] returns, he will step down," said spokesperson Ezekiel Gatkuoth.
The report also pointed out that Machar condemned the appointment, arguing it was illegal. "This is cooked by [President Salva] Kiir and [Chief of General Staff Paul] Malong to kill the peace agreement."
Moreover, the appointment came in spite of Machar's decision to dismiss Gai after accusing him of trying to defect to the SPLM faction headed by President Salva Kiir. However, Gai denied he had been dismissed. Source :Daily Nation
0 comments:
Post a Comment