Kiir assures Machar of protection
President Salva Kiir has assured the First Vice President, Dr Riek Machar of full protection, saying there was no ill intention behind the heavy deployment of security around the latter’s residence on Sunday night.
Addressing the media at his office on Monday afternoon, President Kiir said it would be unfortunate for any security lapse to happen on his watch, as such would roil the gained peace implementation.
“There is no security issue in Juba streets,” President Kiir told reporters. “What is happening in Juba is a normal thing that can happen in any other country because there are criminals here in Juba who are within, and they may go and fire shots near the residence of Dr Riek Machar,’’ he said as he responded to a question by one of the journalists.
According to the president, should that have happened on Sunday night, the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) and other security organs would have easily believed that Dr Machar had begun the war, and that would have escalated the security situation in the country.
“For example, if these people shoot guns near the house of Dr Machar, we will think that Riek is the one who has started attacking people. So, the presence of soldiers on the streets does not mean that there is insecurity in Juba.” The President added.
Early on Monday, Dr Machar issued a statement condemning the deployment of the SSPDF with armoured personnel carriers (APCs) on all routes leading to residences, frightening the civil population.
Dr Machar, in the statement, said the decision could abrogate the gained trust, create doubts and reflect ‘very poorly’ on the commitment of the parties to resolve the conflict peacefully.
“The deployment throughout the night creates unnecessary tension and panic amongst the immediate neighbours, the rest of the country and the world,” Dr, Machar said, “Such an action is disruptive to the peace implementation process and weakens trust and confidence building, reconciliation and healing amongst the people and dialogue among the parties to the agreement.”
Last week, the SPLA-IO, under the leadership of Dr Machar, accused the SSPDF of attacking its positions in the Upper Nile and Unity states. Due to this, the opposition withdrew its participation in the peace monitoring mechanisms, citing laxity in addressing the growing aggression from their partners. The SSPDF denied these allegations. Last Friday, the SPLM/A-IO rejoined the mechanisms after being persuaded by the peace monitors.
