Machar Heads To Juba Ahead Of UN Security Council Team

South Sudan opposition chief, Dr. Riek Machar left the Sudanese capital Khartoum for Juba on Saturday morning.

A statement released by SPLA in opposition director of communications and public relations Puok Both Baluang said Machar, who resides in Khartoum, has been accompanied by high level delegation from his movement.

“The SPLM/SPLA (IO) would like to inform members and the public at large that, the Chairman and Commander in Chief of the people’s movement SPLM/SPLA (IO) and First Vice President designate, H.E Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon accompanying by a high-level delegation left for Juba, South Sudan from the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, this morning at about 7:50 AM,” said part of the statement.

The Spokesman added that the visit meant to last for several days, comes as a result of United Nations Security Council appeal for parties in South Sudan conflict to meet in Juba.

“The visit expected to last several days derived from the invitation of the United Nation Security Council (UNSC) to take part in a meeting with President Salva Kiir that was called by the (UNSC) delegation,” added the statement.

The United Nations Security Council early this week asked Dr. Machar, President Salva Kiir and other parties in South Sudan conflict to converge in Juba for an engagement facilitated by the world body.

The UNSC team is expected to arrive in Juba tomorrow Sunday to pressure the parties in the conflict to reach a common ground on the formation of second unity transitional government by November 12^th 2019.

The second peace deal signed in September 2018 in Addis Ababa, to end the 6 years brutal civil war that broke out in December 2013, stipulated the formation of unity government by May this year. The integration of forces and number of sub-regional states have however remained contentious and impeded the full implementation of the second peace accord.