Internally displaced people at the United Nations Protection of Civilian Sites in Juba held a peaceful march on Monday in support of a decision to relocate rebel leader Riek Machar from South Africa.
Last month the regional Intergovernmental Authority on Development spearheading the South Sudan peace talks resolved to release Machar if he would accept to renounce violence, and relocate to any country outside the region, not neighboring South Sudan. Machar has been under house arrest in South Africa since shortly after fresh clashes erupted in July 2016.
Some of the displaced people who spoke to Radio Tamazuj on Monday said they welcome the decision but denounced the conditions attached to it.
Angelina Marson said that the release of Machar should be carried out freely for the sake of peace in the country.
“We want Machar to be released without conditions so that peace can come to the country. His release will bring peace and we the women especially can go back to our homes and raise our children peacefully,” she added.
Simon Peter, also in the camp echoed the same adding that they want Machar to participate in the upcoming talks in Addis Ababa later this month.
“We are calling on IGAD to release Dr. Riek Machar without any conditions attached. We want him to be free so that he can join in the efforts to bring peace. IGAD’s position is the same as the position of this government here in Juba. We as IDPs call for the freedom of Machar so that he can participate in the upcoming talks on 26th,” he said.
Meanwhile, South Sudan’s cabinet last Friday approved IGAD’s decision to relocate Riek Machar to another country outside the region if he renounces violence.