A scheduled speech of South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit today was unexpectedly postponed until further notice because the president's speech was not ready and needed last-minute modifications, according to the president's spokesman.

The speech was scheduled for broadcast live at 10:00 a.m. on state-run media, Radio Miraya and Eye Radio. After a long delay, Ateny Wek Ateny, Presidential Press Secretary, announced that the speech was delayed owing to some pressing issues that Kiir needed more time to think about or prepare remarks about. He did not say what those issues were.

“It is unfortunate to announce that the speech of the president to the nation that was expected today has been postponed until further notice... due to some pressing issues that has came up need to be incorporated into the president's speech,” said Ateny to the press shortly after the postponement.

He described these as 'technical' issues without clarifying on what postponed the speech.

Separately, however, Ateny also announced that Riek Machar will visit Juba next week on 19 November accompanied by the Prime Minister of Ethiopia. He said the meeting in Juba on that date was meant “to expedite the process of implementation of the peace agreement.”