South Sudan Says Rebel Leader Machar Lacks Legitimacy For Talks
June 3, 2014 (JUBA) – The South Sudanese government says its former vice president-turned rebel leader, Riek Machar lacked the legitimacy for peace talks, days after the latter admitted he was not in control of the rebel fighters.
“He himself has now admitted that he does not control all those involved in the conflict, which was what we had said earlier because the innocent armed civilians were acting on emotions as a result of the lies spread to them, but now they have got the message”, interior minister, Aleu Ayieny Aleu said Tueday.
“The government is talking to them [rebels] and they are responding. It is not too late to explain what happened,” he added.
The minister further said it would “not be wise” to negotiate with Machar since he was in command of the country’s rebel forces.
Aleu’s remarks come in the wake of last week’s tour by the ex-vice president to Kenya, during which the latter reportedly admitted for the first time that he was not in control of forces fighting against president Salva Kiir’s government.
“No, I can’t say that. I would by lying to you if I did say that,” Machar told AFP, adding, “So I can’t say I control them [rebels], but we are hoping we can control them because we are training them and we are disciplining them.
The rebel leader had, in the earlier days of the rebellion, admitted he was in full control of all the armed forces under his leadership, but his claim was dismissed by government on the grounds that the rebels mainly comprised of armed defectors backed by ethnic fighters.
Observers and analysts, however, say Machar’s latest u-turn may be an attempt to have him and some of his commanders cleared of the gross human rights abuses allegedly committed by rebel fighters each time they overran areas under government forces’ control.
The United Nations and the independent human right entities have released at varying reports, at different times, pinning both warring parties in the ongoing conflict of allegedly committing atrocities based on ethnic identities or nationalities since fighting broke out.
Government forces, early last month, launched military offensives into several rebel strongholds, including Nasir town in Upper Nile state, in what rebels said was in violation of a ceasefire agreement signed on 23 January, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Attempts by rebel forces to regain control of these area appears to have been thawed by the 9 May cessation hostilities agreement signed by president Kiir and rebel leader, Machar in Addis Ababa.
FRESH VIOLATIONS
South Sudan army (SPLA) spokesperson, Col. Philip Aguer said in a statement issued Monday that the rebels attempted to attack government forces in Upper Nile and Unity states, but were repulsed.
“From 31st May to 2nd June, forces of Riek Machar have been violating the ceasefire in Nassir, Bailet and Upper Nile State and Walkai in Unity State,” Aguer said in a statement, stressing that the government had already notified the monitoring and verification team about these “unacceptable” acts.
He was not, however, specific on the military operation in Unity state, but said a government soldier was killed in an attack on Nasir town.
Several others, he added, also sustained injuries, but were evacuated for further treatment in the Upper Nile capital, Malakal.
(ST)
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| South Sudan opposition leader Riek Machar. |
“He himself has now admitted that he does not control all those involved in the conflict, which was what we had said earlier because the innocent armed civilians were acting on emotions as a result of the lies spread to them, but now they have got the message”, interior minister, Aleu Ayieny Aleu said Tueday.
“The government is talking to them [rebels] and they are responding. It is not too late to explain what happened,” he added.
The minister further said it would “not be wise” to negotiate with Machar since he was in command of the country’s rebel forces.
Aleu’s remarks come in the wake of last week’s tour by the ex-vice president to Kenya, during which the latter reportedly admitted for the first time that he was not in control of forces fighting against president Salva Kiir’s government.
“No, I can’t say that. I would by lying to you if I did say that,” Machar told AFP, adding, “So I can’t say I control them [rebels], but we are hoping we can control them because we are training them and we are disciplining them.
The rebel leader had, in the earlier days of the rebellion, admitted he was in full control of all the armed forces under his leadership, but his claim was dismissed by government on the grounds that the rebels mainly comprised of armed defectors backed by ethnic fighters.
Observers and analysts, however, say Machar’s latest u-turn may be an attempt to have him and some of his commanders cleared of the gross human rights abuses allegedly committed by rebel fighters each time they overran areas under government forces’ control.
The United Nations and the independent human right entities have released at varying reports, at different times, pinning both warring parties in the ongoing conflict of allegedly committing atrocities based on ethnic identities or nationalities since fighting broke out.
Government forces, early last month, launched military offensives into several rebel strongholds, including Nasir town in Upper Nile state, in what rebels said was in violation of a ceasefire agreement signed on 23 January, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Attempts by rebel forces to regain control of these area appears to have been thawed by the 9 May cessation hostilities agreement signed by president Kiir and rebel leader, Machar in Addis Ababa.
FRESH VIOLATIONS
South Sudan army (SPLA) spokesperson, Col. Philip Aguer said in a statement issued Monday that the rebels attempted to attack government forces in Upper Nile and Unity states, but were repulsed.
“From 31st May to 2nd June, forces of Riek Machar have been violating the ceasefire in Nassir, Bailet and Upper Nile State and Walkai in Unity State,” Aguer said in a statement, stressing that the government had already notified the monitoring and verification team about these “unacceptable” acts.
He was not, however, specific on the military operation in Unity state, but said a government soldier was killed in an attack on Nasir town.
Several others, he added, also sustained injuries, but were evacuated for further treatment in the Upper Nile capital, Malakal.
(ST)
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