South Sudan’s Machar under house arrest in Khartoum

SPLM/A-IO leader Riek Machar. Photo: Reuters

Khartoum, July 14, 2019 (SSNA) — The leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army-In Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) Dr. Riek Machar has been placed under a systematic house confinement in neighboring Sudan, a senior SPLM/A-IO official who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter and has full knowledge of the case told the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) on Sunday.

The revelation, according to the source, comes as government and armed opposition continue to disagree over key provisions of the September 2018 revitalized peace agreement.

The official blasts unnamed some East Africa leaders who he accuses of systematically working for President Salva Kiir to further prolong the civil war.

“Our leader [Machar] is technically under house arrest here in Khartoum. But if you ask IGAD leaders, some of them will say he is free to go anywhere or country he wants. They did that in March this year when we asked if our leader is allowed to attend April spiritual retreat in the Vatican. It is, however, clear to us now Dr. Machar is not allowed to travel to any country of his choice,” the visibly furious armed opposition official explains.

“Basically, they want him to attend only peace-related talks, let alone visiting his forces,” the official complains.

The South Sudan News Agency has evidence showing that in early April 2019, Machar wrote a letter to the IGAD asking them to allow him to attend the Vatican spiritual retreat. The SSNA also understands that the Ethiopia government as the chair of the IGAD responded to Machar’s letter, saying he was free to travel to the Vatican or anywhere.

During the interview, the official further revealed to the SSNA that IGAD keeps telling Machar that his status “is not yet determined” and that they keep promising him that they will decide his status.

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11 Comments. Leave new

  • Gatlat manytap
    July 14, 2019 5:11 pm

    Igad is not an organisation is fool people who are working there,,but will get you we are splm io if we get this election or by the fight, south Sudan will not be under easy Africa organisation igad,igad fuck your leadership and your workers,,,,,we know that Ethiopia people they poor the only needs money to service so there’s no way Ethiopia man can be a leader,,I live in Ethiopia for almost 5 year I know their life no way Ethiopia man can be a leader,,,,,, looks they put riak macher in jail while the situation of the country are still yet.people are fighting each other.people have been by the government military every single day,this is your work. you think you protect the people of south Sudan,,,,,,, Africa Africa Africa Africa money money money money money? you will take all money of south Sudan but you will dead like this people.

    Reply
    • Dr. Machar was overran in 2016 after renewed fighting between his bodyguards and Salve Kiir forces broke out in Juba. By election or fighting Riek will getting nothing, but human disaster. Better to pick different leader to lead Splm IO, then thing will change for you guys. Riek will never be a president of South Sudan believe it or not that is facts. Am not a fun of Kiir either.

      Reply
  • Jack Wulang Gale
    July 15, 2019 12:01 am

    Infact the objectives of IGAD are very important in regards to overcome social, economic and political challenges in the East African countries if it where not negatively politicized by wrong politician in the making. IGAD will never achieve any goal if they continue with the poor engagements despite the ability and hindering factors.

    Reply
  • Manyot Gai Ruot
    July 15, 2019 10:41 am

    We have no choice, but we want to know the reason that arrest Dr machar

    Reply
  • Manyot Gai Ruot
    July 15, 2019 10:44 am

    South Sudan with out Dr Machar discrimination will never end in south Sudan .

    Reply
  • Gatluak Reath B
    July 15, 2019 12:21 pm

    Yeah “an angered individual don’t easily control his emotion”but for your information @ Mr. Gatlat Manytap, Ethiopia is not among the nations that frustrate your boss’s free movement. Evident s; Dr Riek Machar was firstly freed from his previous house arrest in Pretoria, South Africa by Dr Abiy Ahmed’s move when he championed for the regional peace in general. Additionally Ethiopia and South Sudan share a common border in which a conflict in the latter would have spillover on other. I think you surely know the people and countries which are against your boss specifically and movement (SPLM-IO) as a wider. So please don not stir hate speech between the two friendly nations period.

    Reply
  • Kwanzaa Silvest
    July 15, 2019 12:22 pm

    Peace in South Sudan is more difficult than an elephant passing through the needle hole.
    I will agree with the anonymous source of this news agency that IGAD can never be relied upon should the two parties still have an interest of resolution, IGAD has failed to play their role, they are biased and partial. One should ask self the question, ‘who is the sponsor of IGAD? What interest does IGAD have in this whole misunderstanding?. You can not mediate over something which you have interest in, and the reasons why IGAD has consistently succeeded in presiding over these peace resolution it’s because of the hostility nature of South Sudan people, who don’t respect human right. International organisations like UN have not directly intervened in this issue because even once the local attacked the UN premises in their country.
    But back to peace. Until when the people of South Sudan discard their pride, hostility and arrogance they will fight till heaven come. One side should accept to be submisubmissive to the other, a nation can not have more than one fountain of honour. The region which ask for equity distribution of national cake should first give up on such grievances and seek peace and unity first. To Machar, he should embrace the real philosophy of revolutionalism. A good revolutionalist looks not for the fruits of the success of the revolution himself but for the good of the people and him become a sacrifice of transition other than him wanting to become the president. In simple terms both Macha and Kiir need to make amends to each other and work towards unity and peace but surrender power to other younglazed people who have not yet been Co promised with greed for power

    Reply
  • Tut Gatluak Doar
    July 15, 2019 2:45 pm

    Of Course, I will definitely comment that putting Dr. Machar to house rest again in Khartoum by EGAD BOARDS, Its not a good as I pursed it, why no peace without Machar

    Reply
  • That is truely politics, When someone thinks that He is better Allah gives him challanges. So let us fear Allah, He will make everything simple.

    Reply
  • Peter Meen Chol Kuac
    July 16, 2019 3:08 pm

    On behalf of we vulnerable citizens of this South Sudan we need and we argue both government under the able leadership of president Salva Kiir mayardit and Dr. Riek Machar to implementing the peace agreement because we need our Nation to progress well like others countries in the world and thank you well.
    Concern citizen.

    Reply
  • Dr. Machar, I think he wants power but even if the power suggested to be given to non Jenk, Salva Kir with Jenk councils will not accept. it is logic to government to block food commodities to reach other state or counties where SPLA/M IO existing. For me this house arrest of Dr. Machar is not plan Jenk Councils but to killed South Sudanese people and displace them from their places and this will never succeeded. Dr Machar one day from house arrest will be president of South Sudan.
    Iam not a politician in this Country but the poor citizen of South Sudan who have been opress by the war of power hungry leaders.

    Reply

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