Kiir Meets With JMEC Chairperson And AU Special Envoy To South Sudan

By Jok P Mayom

JUBA, 15 July 2016 [Gurtong]- The meeting follows the fighting that took place between forces loyal to Kiir and Dr Riek Machar.

After their meeting President Kiir briefed the press on the purpose of their meeting.

“We were talking about what happened here on Friday in Juba and I have given them assurances that I want Dr. Riek Machar, the First Vice President of the Republic to be near me so that we see the way forward”.

“I talked to Dr. Riek in the morning – today [Thursday] and I asked him to come but it was difficult for him to accept” he said.

“I asked him also to tell his ministers who are now in the hotels here in Juba to tell them to come out so that I talk to them of what we should be doing, still there is resistance. He thinks that his ministers are not secure, and they cannot be safe” Kiir explained.

He further said that he gave Dr. Riek Machar his word that he would protect him as long as they are together.

“I gave these assurances that I am ready to protect Dr. Machar if he comes to where I am and I am ready to protect any minister of SPLM-IO, any senior officers who may feel that they are vulnerable” he noted.

Kiir also said that there should be no more bloodshed in the country as enough has already been shed.

“I have been with them for a long time and I don’t want any more bloodshed in South Sudan.”

According to JMEC chairperson, he spoke with several of Machar’s ministers and in his discussions urged all parties to observe the ceasefire and work towards restoring peace and stability.