South Sudan's national dialogue co-chairman Angelo Beda said on Sunday he supports President Kiir’s decision to bar exiled rebel chief Riek Machar from returning to the country to participate in the dialogue process.

Last month, President Kiir swore in a 92-member steering committee in Juba, saying the national dialogue he initiated in December last December would end the ongoing conflict in the country. Many observers expressed concerns over the modalities set up by Kiir to conduct the dialogue in Juba.

Beda told Radio Tamazuj that the president said Machar should denounce violence and relinquish his position as First Vice President if he wants to return to South Sudan.

He pointed out that the dialogue's steering committee would ask President Kiir to allow Machar to return to Juba as a normal citizen of South Sudan. Beda further said his committee is communicating with armed opposition groups in the country. However, he did not name those groups.

He noted that the unity government will provide protection to all armed groups, including representatives of Machar’s faction who will come to Juba to participate in the national dialogue.

Beda stressed that the declared unilateral ceasefire and the release of all political prisoners are important steps to create a conducive environment for the dialogue.

Addressing the official launch of the national dialogue at Freedom Hall in Juba last month, President Kiir said: “Everybody is welcome to participate in the national dialogue except Riek Machar, because if he comes he will cause another war in Juba.”

The South Sudanese leader pointed out that the opposition leader would only take part in the dialogue through people he would delegate to represent him in the dialogue process.