The sports category has moved to a new website.
ADVERTISEMENT

South Sudan's Machar says ready for talks with rival Kiir

South Sudan's exiled opposition leader Riek Machar says he is ready to meet his rival President Salva Kiir to talk peace, if certain conditions on his freedom were met.

South Sudan's exiled opposition leader Riek Machar (right) has laid down a series of demands before he could meet President Salva Kiir

In a letter to Kiir's security adviser, seen by AFP Friday, Machar laid out a series of demands before the pair could sit down face-to-face in Juba.

South Sudan slid into war in 2013 just two years after gaining independence, when Kiir accused his former deputy Machar of plotting a coup.

But the rivals struck a peace deal in September and agreed to set up a unity government.

That power-sharing arrangement was supposed to take effect in May but was delayed until November, and the process has stalled.

ADVERTISEMENT

Machar said he was ready to sit down face-to-face with Kiir and discuss a way forward if certain assurances were made.

"I believe this is the time to evaluate the process as two months of extended period have passed without substantial progress," Machar wrote.

Among the demands, Machar said he must be allowed to travel freely to countries under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional grouping.

He resides in Sudan at present but cannot travel to the other IGAD nations -- South Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Eritrea, Djibouti and Ethiopia.

Machar also said the terms of his house arrest must be lifted.

ADVERTISEMENT

He fled into exile in 2016 after a peace deal signed the year before collapsed, sparking deadly violence.

South Sudan's civil war has killed tens of thousands of people, displaced some four million and left the oil-rich country's economy in ruins.

JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:

Email: news@pulselive.co.ke

Recommended articles

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Marianne Kitany tactfully speaks on whether Ruto should fire her ex, CS Linturi

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

Gov't & opposition officials clash at Rita Tinina's burial ceremony

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

CS Murkomen unveils new number plates for cars that will get preferential treatment

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

Moi University students escape through windows after road crash

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

57,000 civil servants to have their rent reviewed upwards

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Interesting story of U.S. Army Specialist Wambui who comes from a military family

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

Heroic GSU officer dies after jumping out of a taxi along Thika Super Highway

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

DJ Joe Mfalme detained for 14 more days

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

Explosive blows up hotel next to police station, deaths reported

ADVERTISEMENT