South Sudan’s government spokesperson Michael Makuei Lueth downplayed President Salva Kiir’s role in creating a potential prime minister position for the rebels, saying it was rather an IGAD heads of state decision.
Speaking to reporters at Juba Airport upon arrival from Addis Ababa, Makuei said his government did not offer the position of the prime minister to the rebels.
Instead, he deflected responsibility for the concession, saying it was a decision of the IGAD heads of state at their recent summit. Kiir is a member of the IGAD heads of state.
On Monday, Kiir agreed to a framework for a transitional government with a prime minister position chosen by the rebels. Previously, Kiir had opposed the creation of the prime minister position for rebel leader Riek Machar.
“The government did not change its position, this is the decision of the summit. It says the president will continue to be an executive president, meanwhile the prime minister will continue to be a prime minister but the executive is headed by the president,” Makuei said.
Makuei then blamed Machar for refusing to sign the same agreement. Machar is not an IGAD head of state.
Makuei added that Kiir’s negotiators came back today for a fifteen day recess and will return to Ethiopia on 14 September. He said the negotiation will restart on 15 September and will be counted within the 45 day deadline.
Related: S. Sudan’s President Kiir agrees to prime minister position for rebels
Radio Tamazuj Photo: Information minister Michael Makuei Lueth upon arrival from Addis Ababa.
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