South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar (C) is welcomed by president Salva Kiir's Secuirty Advisor Tut Gatluak (L) at the Juba international Airport upon arrival from Kartoum, Sudan on Oct. 19, 2019. (Xinhua/ Gale Julius)
South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar threatens to pull out of the peace agreement if president Salva Kiir forms a unity government without resolving outstanding security issues, and the two leaders are expected to meet again for further discussions.
JUBA, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar has threatened to pull out of a September 2018 peace agreement if president Salva Kiir goes ahead to form a unity government without resolving outstanding security issues.
Machar, leader of Sudan People's Liberation Movement-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO) told the visiting delegation of the Security Council in Juba on Sunday that his group would not take part in unity government without accomplishment of security reforms and determination of the number of states.
Machar proposed further extension of the pre-transitional period to give time to complete the security arrangements.
"The critical issues must be resolved. The security arrangements must be in place at least. If not, the ceasefire which we has been enjoying for this whole year will be ruptured," Machar said.
But Machar's comments were not welcomed by other signatories to the peace deal as they insisted on forming the unity government by Nov. 12.
"The way forward is that we must form an inclusive government that must address the challenges, whatever time we extend, we are going to face the same challenges," said Peter Mayen, head of the Umbrella of political parties.
Machar held face-to-face meeting with president Salva Kiir Sunday on the pending security, but the two leaders failed to reach a resolution as the meeting was cut short after the arrival of the 15-member security council.
The two leaders are expected to meet again for further discussions.
Salva Kiir (2nd R, front), South Sudanese President receives Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman Burhan (2nd L, front), head of Sudanese transitional sovereign council at Juba International Airport (JIA) in Juba, capital of South Sudan, Oct. 14, 2019. (Xinhua/Daniel Majak)
South Sudan descended into conflict in December 2013 after President Salva Kiir sacked his deputy Machar leading to fighting between soldiers loyal to both leaders.
The conflict killed tens of thousands and displaced millions both internally and externally.
A peace deal signed in 2015 collapsed after outbreak of renewed violence in July 2016 forcing Machar to flee the capital.■
