Machar aides say ‘deadlock’ is ‘a correct’ terminology to refer to outcome of presidency meeting

JUBA, MARCH 12, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The media staff in the office of the first vice president have issued a statement responding to the office of the president saying that the term “deadlock” is the correct terminology to describe the outcome of the meeting between President Salva Kiir and First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar.

The two men met on Friday afternoon to discuss the controversial sacking of the minister of defense and the subsequent transfer of the docket from the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) under Machar to Kiir’s ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Government (SPLM-IG).

Following the meeting, Machar’s office issued a statement informing the public that the meeting had ended in “deadlock” between the two men and that preparations were ongoing to organize another meeting between the two principals to discuss the same matter in the future.

But Kiir’s media unit issued a statement saying the meeting did not end in deadlock and warned the media staff in the office of the first vice president against use of sensational language which it said may jeopardize the current atmosphere.

But in response, the defiant Machar’s aides said it used the correct terminology to describe the outcome of the meeting between the two men and expressed its commitment to the implementation of “the revitalized peace agreement.

“The Office of the First Vice President would like to briefly clarify that the usage of the word ‘deadlock’ is not and never meant to ‘sensationalize’ issues of national importance as incorrectly perceived. It is rather a correct description of a situation in which an agreement has not been reached on the substantive issues under discussion, thereby ‘no agreement reached,’” it said in the statement.

“Deadlock means no agreement yet on the issues concerned and discussed. It doesn‘t prevent an appointment to discuss the same issues again at a later date, and therefore not a sensationalization.

“The Press Unit would also like to remind any one concerned and the public at large that the issues the principals met to try and resolve were the unilateral relief of the Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs and the swapping of the two ministries; the other being the ministry of Interior. Since no agreement was reached on the two issues, it became a deadlock as both sides held to their respective views. An agreement to meet on another day only signifies a good spirit and willingness to discuss the issues again, which is applauded, but has not yet resolved the disagreement or deadlock.

“The staff of the Press Unit in the office of the First Vice President are well aware of the importance of peace in our country. This is the reason we honestly issue statements decrying violations of the Peace Agreement as a concern and also point out how they occur in respect to provisions of the Agreement with the hope of avoiding any violations by any Party. This is professionalism!

“We hope to continue to cooperate with the media outlets in the various governmental institutions, and above all, the Office of the President, as well as the Private Media. This should also be in accordance with a conducive atmosphere provided for in the Revitalized Peace Agreement. A free and fair professional media work which is free from unnecessary urge to silence others in their duties to correctly inform the public about issues of national importance.

“May peace and tolerance prevail in our country.”