Addis Ababa, September 21, 2014 (SSNA) — South Sudanese rebels have sent an advance team to China for what they called an early procedure designed to prepare the ground for their leader expected trip to China in the near future.
The visit happens more than nine months after fighting erupted in Juba late last year.
The Official Spokesperson for the top leadership of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A-in Opposition), James Gatdet Dak, has on September 20, 2014, released a press statement announcing the visit.
“SPLM/SPLA Delegation Heads to China, our delegation of SPLM/SPLA led by the Chairman of External Relations Committee Dr Dhieu Mathok Diing has left Addis Ababa for Beijing on Saturday evening”, Dak said.
The rebels’ team also includes Hussein Mar Nyuot, the Chairperson for Humanitarian Committee, Dr. Richard K Mulla, the Chairperson for Justice and Human Rights Committee, among others.
The Spokesperson also revealed that Chinese government has invited the leader of the SPLM-in Opposition, Dr. Riek Machar, and that Machar will meet the leadership of the communist nation, China.
“The main purpose of the visit is to prepare the ground for an expected visit of our Chairman, Dr Riek Machar Teny, who has been invited to Beijing to meet the Chinese top leadership. They will hold bilateral talks with officials of the Peoples Republic of China and try to forge mutual understanding”, Mr. Dak added.
South Sudan’s rebels have on many occasions accused the Chinese government of supplying South Sudanese government with deadly weapons.
Heavy fighting has resumed in the oil-rich Upper Nile State with both sides accusing the other of ceasefire infringements.
Peace talks between the warring sides have been continuing in Ethiopia; the negotiations lead to little or no success with fighting still raging.