SPLM-IO: Riek Machar arriving in Juba at 1PM, Saturday, tomorrow
- Public Statement from the SPLM-IO
April 22, 2016 (SSB) —- The Chief of General Staff of SPLA (IO) 1st. Lt. General Simon Gatwech Dual and 125 other soldiers with their organic weapons are scheduled to arrive Juba at 10:00 AM April 23, 2016.
The rest of the remaining 195 soldiers with their organic weapons will come after that.
The First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan H.E Dr Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon is scheduled to arrive Juba April 23, 2016 at 1:00 PM sharp.
The peace loving people of South Sudan are asked to come out and welcome His Excellency Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon peacefully.
Peace is finally here!
End.
Ambassador Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth.
Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
SPLM / SPLA (IO).
Gambella, Ethiopia.
April 22, 2016.
2. Public Statement from Troika
U.S. Embassy Juba, South Sudan
Joint Statement on South Sudan Peace Process
For Immediate Release April 22, 2015
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesperson
MEDIA NOTE: The text of the following statement was issued jointly by the Governments of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Norway.
Begin Text: The members of the Troika (United States, United Kingdom, and Norway) are deeply disappointed by Riek Machar’s continued failure to return to South Sudan’s capital Juba to form the Transitional Government of National Unity. This represents a willful decision by him not to abide by his commitments to implement the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.
We congratulate the government for demonstrating maximum flexibility for the sake of peace by agreeing to the compromise proposal on the return of security forces proposed by regional and international partners and mediated by the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission. It remains important that the government fully withdraws its troops from Juba as called for in the peace agreement. We also welcome the opposition’s support for the compromise proposal and demand that Machar abide by this commitment and return to Juba by 23 April.
Machar’s failure to go to Juba, despite efforts from the international community to support his return, places the people of South Sudan at risk of further conflict and suffering and undermines the peace agreement’s reform pillars – demilitarizing South Sudan, injecting transparency of public finances, and pursuing justice and reconciliation – that offer South Sudan a chance for renewal.
We will pursue appropriate measures against anyone who further frustrates implementation of the peace agreement.
3. Statement from JMEC partners
Regional and international JMEC partners, #SouthSudan issued the following statement:
PRESS STATEMENT OF LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES OF INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL PARTNERS OF THE JOINT MONITORING AND EVALUATION COMMISSION
The regional and international partners of JMEC met on 22 April 2016 to discuss the extraordinary meeting of JMEC, held on 21 April in Juba.
The partners expressed their deep appreciation to the Government of the Republic of South Sudan for its decision to accept the compromise proposal, for the sake of peace.
They also welcomed the decision by the SPLM/A (IO) to accept the compromise proposal, and underscored the necessity of First Vice-President designate Dr. Riek Machar Teny to uphold his commitment to return to Juba no later than 23 April. The partners reiterated their strong objection to the introduction of new conditions.
Partners recognized the positive role played by the Chairperson of JMEC HE Festus G. Mogae and the AU High Representative HE Alpha Oumar Konaré and commended their efforts dedicated to the formation of a Transitional Government of National Unity.
Partners reaffirmed their resolve to continue to jointly accompany the peace process and urge all parties involved to work tirelessly and collectively towards sustainable peace in South Sudan.
4. Statement from the UN Secretary General
Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on South Sudan
The Secretary-General welcomes the long overdue decision of the Government of the Republic of South Sudan to accept the compromise proposal on the arrangements for the return of First Vice President-designate Riek Machar, which was developed through the concerted efforts of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Committee (JMEC) along with regional and international partners.
The Secretary-General is hopeful that this will enable the swift formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity, and the full implementation of the country’s peace agreement. Maintaining a spirit of cooperation will be crucial as the country’s leaders begin the work of reversing the years of destruction this conflict has brought upon the people of South Sudan. The Secretary-General now calls on First Vice President-designate Riek Machar to return to Juba without delay or further conditions which could jeopardize the fragile peace process and prolong the suffering of the South Sudanese people.
The Secretary-General commends the efforts of JMEC Chairperson, former President Festus Mogae and of the African Union High Representative, former President Alpha Konaré, to resolve the impasse and urges all regional and international partners to actively support the continued implementation of the peace agreement.
New York, 22 April 2016
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