Machar to visit states after deployment of peace forces – spokesman

JUBA, FEBRUARY 27, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – The First Vice President and leader of the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO) Dr. Riek Machar Teny will tour all the states when the deployment of the unified forces is completed, according to a spokesman allied to him.

In an interview with Radio Tamazuj, Puok Both Baluang, SPLM-IO Director of Information and Public Relations Puok Both Baluang who doubles as the Acting Press Secretary in the Office of the First Vice President said Machar is waiting for the deployment of the peace forces for him to visit the states.

“Plans to visit the states exist in the office of the first vice president but we are waiting for the deployment of the unified forces in the different states,” he said.

“And I would like to announce to all South Sudanese citizens and all our friends that the prayer is just the beginning of our tour of the state and we shall ensure that we reach everywhere,” he added.

The senior opposition official said that Machar’s movement around the country will improve the broken social fabric and will help the opposition leader understand the needs of the citizens across the world’s youngest country.

“We need to move around to restore the social fabric and be close to the people and know their needs and issues. The first vice president has a social, political, and moral obligation to know the issues that affect the people of South Sudan,” he said.

“This is part of his responsibility apart from conducting meetings with different parties to the agreement,” he added.

Baluang made the remarks just immediately after Machar visited the IDP camp in Juba where he was told by the displaced person that they don’t plans to go home because they are not confident in the current pace of the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.