Kiir, Machar sign new power-sharing deal

Kiir (right), Machar (left). Photo: Getty Images

Khartoum, July 25, 2018 (SSNA) — South Sudanese rival leaders Salva kiir and Dr. Riek Machar have on Wednesday signed a revised Khartoum’s Khartoum power-sharing pact, Sudanese foreign minister Al-Dierdiry Ahmed said.

The new agreement, which peace mediators described as “preliminary,” will reinstall rebel leader Machar as First Vice President.

Mediators also said the final phase of the deal will be signed on the 5th of August 2018.

“The power-sharing document has been signed and it addresses all pending issues during the transitional term. Salva Kiir will continue as president of South Sudan and Riek Machar will be the first vice president,” Al-Dierdiry said. He also adds that the signed agreement proposes other four vice presidents, meaning South Sudan will have one President with five vice presidents if the proposed deal is fully accepted by parties to the conflict.

However, the South Sudan News Agency (SSNA) was told by a confidential SPLM-IO source who has full knowledge of the deal that opposition parties refused to sign the pact, citing further negotiations.