Kiir asks Machar to ‘present’ his list of nominees for unified command

JUBA – South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit has asked First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny to present a list of the nominees of the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) who would be appointed into the unified army, police, and national security command.

Yesterday, the two men signed an agreement on the unified command structure and agreed to an immediate ceasefire as well as acceleration of the implementation of the security arrangement provided for in the revitalized [peace agreement.

The presidency said in a statement seen by Sudans Post that a meeting between Kiir and Machar was conducted at the presidency where the two men discussed the implementation process of the revitalized peace agreement where President Kiir asked Machar to present a list of nominees.

“His Excellency Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Republic had one on one meeting in his Office, with the First Vice President H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny, on the agreement that was signed yesterday (Sunday, 3rd April 2022) on the Unified Command structure of all security organs in the Country,” the presidency said.

“During the meeting, H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit requested the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny who is the Chairman of SPLM-IO to present to him his list of officers who will be absorbed into the Unified Command, and H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny said he will need some days to present in his list of nominees for the formation of Unified Command structure of all security organs in the Country,” he added.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, presidential minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin said Kiir “stressed during the meeting that, the people of South Sudan are tired of war and they need peace, stability and development” while First vice President Machar “re- assured his commitment to the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement and not to return the Country back to war.”