Press statement: Dr. Riek Machar will only come in Juba if and when the government allows our chief of general staff, our soldiers and our “organic weapons” to land to Juba first
April 22, 2016 (SSB) — While the SPLM/SPLA (IO) has accepted a proposal from regional and international peace partners presented to the parties on Thursday by JMEC that the SPLA-IO forces to accompany our leadership from Pagak via Gambella should carry with them 20 PKMs and 20 RPGs besides their AK47 rifles, President Salva Kiir’s government has rejected this proposal from the peace partners and monitors.
The ball is now in the court of the regime in Juba to show its commitment to peace by accepting the proposal.
We hope JMEC will exercise its power and influence on President Kiir to give peace a chance and accept the proposal.
The international community (peace partners) should also put pressure on the regime to accept the proposal.
Our leadership is ready to travel to Juba any time as soon as our Chief of General Staff, 1st Lt. Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual, his accompanying troops and their “organic weapons” are allowed to land in Juba by the administration.
James Gatdet Dak
Official Spokesperson
Office of the Chairman and C-in-C
SPLM/SPLA (IO)