Machar’s visit to Juba cancelled until Tuesday

January 13, 2020 Newsbeat

South Sudan’s main armed opposition leader, Dr. Riek Machar Teny (Photo: Supplied)

January 13th, 2020 (SSNN)—The scheduled visit of the main armed opposition’s leader Dr. Riek Machar has been abruptly cancelled, a top official said on Monday.

In a brief statement to the media, the SPLM-IO Deputy Spokesperson, Manawa Peter Gatkoth, said that the opposition leader’s trip to South Sudan often depends on arrangements of Sudan and and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

“Machar’s visit to Juba is always connected to Sudan and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development]” Manawa said.

He confirmed that Machar was supposed to leave for Juba today, but they were informed that the flight had been canceled until tomorrow.

“Dr. Machar was expected to come to Juba today, but we have just been informed that the visit has been postponed to Tuesday,” the SPLM-IO said.

South Sudan’s government and opposition groups are expected to meet for another round of peace talks in an attempt resolve contentious issues including the Number of States and their Boundaries, one of the pending Pre-transitional Tasks derailing the formation of the unity government.

There has been growing pressure from the international community and the region calling upon the Parties to the R-ARCSS to urgently implement the remaining outstanding tasks and form a unity government on time.