The Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (In Opposition) (SPLM/SPLA IO has dismissed reports that a face-to-face meeting between Salva Kiir and Riek Machar was due to take place.
This dismissal is contained in a press statement issued by Mabior Garang Mabior, the chairman for information in SPLM.
Below is the statement.
THE SPLM/SPLA (IO) POSITION ON FACE TO FACE MEETING IN KHARTOUM
The leadership of the SPLM/SPLA (IO) would like to inform our members, the people of South Sudan and the world at large, not to pay attention to the disinformation coming out of the propaganda machine of the regime, alleging that a “face-to-face” meeting was to take place between President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar in Khartoum, Sudan. This malicious propaganda further alleges that the Chairman and Commander in Chief of the people’s Movement, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, is unwilling to meet with President Salva Kiir due to “mistrust” for IGAD leaders. This is simply not true and the SPLM/SPLA (IO) categorically condemns this.
The truth is that the SPLM/SPLA (IO) has not received any official communication regarding the venue of any prospective “face-to-face” meeting between President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar. However, the Movement is aware of an initiative by the regime in Juba requesting, Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga, mediate between the principals of the two major warring parties in the South Sudan conflict. Despite the propaganda of the regime and for the sake of peace, the SPLM/SPLA (IO) Chairman and Commander in Chief, Dr. Riek Machar Teny-dhuorangun, is more than happy to meet with President Salva Kiir in any IGAD country, including Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda; or any country outside the region, including Mauritania.
The SPLM/SPLA (IO) reiterates our full commitment to the peace process and shall continue to engage positively with IGAD and all friends of people of South Sudan interested in helping our people achieve peace. We shall also continue to negotiate in good faith to restore peace to our civil population through the High-Level Revitalization Forum (HLRF). However, in light of the regime’s intransigence, continued violation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoH) and massacring of innocent civilians, the SPLM/SPLA (IO) reserves the natural right of self-defense.
Signed:
CDE MABIOR GARANG MABIOR (CHAIRMAN)
SPLM NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR INFORMATION AND PUBLIC
