The government of South Sudan has finally granted permission to a plane carrying weapons of rebel leader Dr. Riek Machar to land into country’s capital Juba.
The latest development has been confirmed in a statement issued by the former Botswana President, Festus Mogae who is chairing the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Committee that is overseeing the
implementation of fragile South Sudan’s peace deal.
In the letter, Mr. Mogae said the government eased its earlier position and allow the plane to carry 20 Rocket Propelled Grenades and 20 PKM (general purpose machinegun). Both are battle efficient forward
infantry heavy guns.
“JMEC today welcomed the decision by the Government of the Republic of South Sudan to accept the 21st April compromised proposal on arrangements for the return of the First Vice President designate made by the regional and international members of JMEC,” part of the statement reads.
The government through its Chief Negotiator, Nhial Deng Nhial had written a letter to Mr. Mogae expressing the acceptance.
“I am in receipt of a letter from the government’s Chief Negotiator, in which the government accepts that the SPLA (IO) transport from Gambella 20 PKM and 20 RPG rocket launchers in addition to the
individual weapons of the accompanying personnel,” Mogae added.
The JMEC boss also called on Machar to utilize the opportunity and return home. The rebel leader is now expected to arrive tomorrow and subsequently be installed as the First Vice President.
“It is now vital that the First Vice President designate returns to Juba tomorrow and the Transitional Government of National Unity is formed immediately upon his arrival. No further delay is tolerable,”
the statement concludes.
Earlier on Thursday Mr. Mogae in a meeting with government and rebel representatives gave the two groups only two days to reach a common position.
The impasse surrounding the weapons has been for days starting from Monday when Dr. Machar was originally supposed to arrive.