South African President Jacob Zuma on Tuesday called on South Sudan’s former first vice president Riek Machar to return to Juba for implementation of last August’s peace agreement, while slamming Machar for calling for an armed struggle against Kiir government.
“There is absolutely no need for fighting. Further fighting will only exacerbate the human suffering in South Sudan. We call on Dr. Machar to return to Juba and participate in the transitional government,” said Zuma at a joint news conference with Kenyan President Unhuru Kenyatta in Nairobi on Tuesday.
Reacting to the statement, South Sudan government rejected President Zuma’s call on the armed opposition leader Riek Machar to return to the capital Juba for peace implementation.
Ateny Wek Ateny, South Sudan’s presidential spokesperson, told Radio Tamazuj yesterday that they reject the return of Machar to Juba, saying that the peace agreement is being implemented by the newly appointed First Vice President Taban Deng Gai.
“Our position is clear, we do not want another war, because Riek Machar has declared war, he is not a man of peace,” said Ateny.”Taban Deng is a man of peace, he is the one who can implement the peace agreement,” he added.
For his part, the SPLM-IO faction led by Riek Machar has welcomed President Zuma’s for peace implementation in the presence of Riek Machar in Juba.
Mabior Garang de Mabior, official spokesman of the SPLM-IO faction, told Radio Tamazuj that they welcome the calls upon Riek Machar to return to Juba. However, Garang said that their leader will return to Juba if new security arrangements are made.
“We welcome this call, but he cannot return to Juba as a normal citizen, we cannot return to Juba without security arrangements,” said Garang.