Deportation of rebel spokesman sparks diplomatic firestorm

Kenyatta (right), Kiir (left). Photo: africa.tvcnews.tv/File
Kenyatta (right), Kiir (left). Photo: africa.tvcnews.tv/File

Juba, November 13, 2016 (SSNA) — A highly placed source with South Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs has revealed to the South Sudan News Agency that the forced deportation of Riek Machar Spokesperson backfires, sets off diplomatic crisis, and forced Kenyan government to revisit her political relations with foreign governments, African Union, and the United Nations.

The SSNA’s source who demands anonymity for fear of reprisal also disclosed that Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and his South Sudanese counterpart President Salva Kiir have been talking about ways to minimize outside pressure on a daily basis.

“Actually, a lot of people were surprised when news of Riek Machar press secretary broke. I remember some of my fellow workers shaking their heads, it was a news many people here in Juba thought it was not true,” said the source.

“The thing is…let me tell you, the thing is Kiir and the leader of Kenya [Kenyatta] realized after condemnations from other countries and the UN that the deportation of a rebel official to Juba has become an unnecessary diplomatic headache,” the source continued.

“On the whole, it is a diplomatic firestorm for both men [Kenyatta and Kiir],” asserted the source.

During the interview, the source surprised a SSNA’s reporter, telling the reporter that Kenyan police first called South Sudanese police and told them that Spokesman of Riek Machar is in custody and that he is scheduled for deportation to Juba the next day.

The South Sudan News Agency also managed to talk to a senior police officer in Juba. The purpose of the meeting was to confirm the authenticity of claims made by our source at the foreign affairs ministry.

The police officer admitted that Nairobi decision to bring the spokesman of the SPLM/A-IO to Juba was a politically orchestrated decision.

Meanwhile Kenyan State House’s Spokesperson, Manoah Esipisu, claims his government will still help Salva Kiir’s government in limited areas, though the official failed to identify exactly what Kenyatta’s presidency would do.

“Kenya will keep its obligation to South Sudan. We will work with them bilaterally, in Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the Eat African Community, which we worked hard to get them there, and the African Union,” Esipiso said.

Esipiso admits that Kenya decision to deport James Gatdet Dak to South Sudan has caused diplomatic issues.

Kenya pulled its troops from South Sudan after the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon removed Lieutenant General Johnson Mogoa Kimani Ondieki from his role as chief of UN peacekeeping mission in South Sudan. General Johnson Mogoa is a Kenyan by nationality.

Rebel officials have told the SSNA that Kenya’s contribution to peace is important and that South Sudan needs Kenya in its quest to find a peaceful solution to the ongoing civil war.

South Sudanese former Vice president and rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar blames Kenyatta for refusing his request to allow his spokesman to be deported to a country of his choice.

The SSNA understands that most supporters of the SPLM/A-IO believe that Kenyatta is secretly supporting Kiir and that his decision to allow James Gatdet to be sent to Juba on his watch proves his commitment to peace is not impartial.

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10 Comments. Leave new

  • Ambassador, pastor PK.
    November 14, 2016 5:40 am

    By Ambassador pastor PK.
    Well, Kenya Government he is asossiated with the president of South Sudan, Salva Kiir who killed his own innocent people in South Sudan.
    By algation that there a coup.
    If there a coup, why they killed innocent people who are not part of the coup?

    Accountability will take place, no matter how long it’s going to take…
    Other wise there Will be no peace in South Sudan at all.
    And behind that problem it is Obama.

    Reply
  • Ambassador, pastor PK.
    November 14, 2016 5:53 am

    By Ambassador pastor PK.
    Well, Kenya Government he is asossiated with the president of South Sudan, Salva Kiir who killed his own innocent people in South Sudan on DEC, 15, 2013 Door to Door.
    That was the point of erupted the war in South Sudan.
    Not the Vice president Riek Machar who erupted the war, if the Government did not killed the innocent people I Juba, I don’t think that, there will be a war in South Sudan.
    By algation that there a coup.
    If there a coup, why they killed innocent people who are not part of the coup?

    Accountability will take place, no matter how long it’s going to take…
    Other wise there Will be no peace in South Sudan at all.
    And behind that problem it is Obama.

    Reply
  • A lot of people surprise by Kenyatta action. People thought is the learned leader of East Africa. It is a shame to see him acting out of his conscience. Governments and go and the people remain so he should under that Kenyans and South Sudanese are brothers and sisters who don’t want something like prevent their relationships in the future. Kiir could be gone fro power and the opposition could take power, then what happened?

    Reply
  • Kenya is led by a man who massacred is people on tribal line before, he has violated the international laws, he doesn’t know that violating international agreement is a shame to his country. Now, Kenyan president has brought shame to all Kenya people by deporting a Refugee individual back to the enemy because he had been bribed by South Sudan tribal government. Only God will safe James Gatdet.

    Reply
  • all those who have ran away and start blindfolding the world in order to cover up the shit they hv done back home will one day regret the betrayal they hv done to our country of south sudan.

    Reply
  • I lived in South Sudan 4 over 5yrs n I can tell you that unless the elites change their aproach to issues yo country will remain a country of guns n bullets. You guys can just see the kind of coments yu post online, they serv to widen the division that is already there. Sorry to the poor lovely south sudaneese women n children. Yu elites how long do yu want to lead a refugee life??

    Reply
    • Mr.King you’re right. How long will the led refugees? How will the seeks for international support? How long will the depends on international law enforcement? These are our primitives of angerliy power put country in to turmoil I wish all east Africa communities has endorses their own law that will bring criminal to book of justice. And they have to form border military protection force finally, and the thugs could not be given any accommodation at all possible like deportation of Mr.Gatdet is good examples international law has just been presented with out binding just to allow business and interest of looting others countries which no capabilities of enacting their constitution and customery laws

      Reply
  • Big appreciation president of Kenya. Who are they international body? It’s a combination of all us. Because of incentives that we don’t want to build the nation and change our government through democracy process and resorts in guns we be last country for more years though come back or reverse our ethnic group who killing people on road and every corner of the country shall regret because we die though you are not kill

    Reply
  • BY CATTLE KEEPER BUNJUQUERINGIAJICAN
    November 17, 2016 12:52 am

    BY CATTLE KEEPER BUNJUQUERINAGIAJICAN.
    People thing, life is easy, but money can not save you, most of the east, middle, west and other regions of Africa focus on money, but not for the government, individual or particulars. so watch out, south sudan citizen need peace in their country.

    Reply
  • Look like in South sudan we put fire out with fire instead of water. Let forgive once anther tribalism can take us any were for example Ruwanda if not forgiveness that country will not have peace people who love country should stand for peace

    Reply

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