SPLM-IO Members Flee Juba Amid Security Crackdown, Reaffirm Commitment to Peace Deal

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‎ SPLM-IO Director of Communication pal Mai Deng.  A growing political rift within South Sudan's main opposition party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition (SPLM-IO), has taken a dramatic turn after some of its members fled the capital, Juba, citing fears for their lives. ‎ ‎In a statement released Monday, SPLM-IO’s Director of Communication, Pal Mai Deng, said the members’ departure should not be misconstrued as an abandonment of the peace process.  He described such claims as “cheap propaganda” from the SPLM-In Government (SPLM-IG) and its political allies. ‎ ‎“This is a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and sabotage the peace process,” Deng said. “Our members left Juba to protect their lives from increasing threats, not to withdraw from the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity.” ‎ ‎The SPLM-IO reaffirmed its commitment to the full implementation of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement and called for the release of its leader, First V...
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Dr. Riek Machar Hires Janjaweed As His Bodyguards

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A Sudanese Arabic newspaper is reporting that Riek Machar has hired Janjaweed as his bodyguards for his return to South Sudan. The Janjaweed have been renamed “Rapid Support Forces” and helped to suppressed the Sudanese protestors who toppled Bashir.

Dr Riek who is currently in Khartoum will be accompanied by Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, the commander of Janjaweed who is currently part of Sudan’s ruling Sovereign Council.

The newspaper Al-Intibaha quoting unnamed sources in the Government of South Sudan reported that Riek will return to South Sudan next month to meet with President Kiir. The paper did not specify the date of the meeting.

Dr. Riek Machar served as inaugural Vice President from 2011 until his dismissal in 2013 and also between April and July 2016 as first vice president.

 More to follow shortly....

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