Machar convenes joint SPLM-IO meeting over parliamentary spat with Kiir’s party

JUBA – South Sudan’s First Vice President and leader of the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), Dr. Riek Machar Teny, has convened a joint high-level meeting of the group, a spokesman for him said.

The meeting, which brought together the SPLM-IO Political Bureau, SPLM-IO members of parliament and those serving in the government discussed last week’s disagreement over political parties act amendment bill.

Last week, the SPLM-IO and other opposition groups walked out of parliamentary sitting after the ruling SPLM faction led by President Kiir passed the bill scrapping some reforms recommended by the National Constitutional Amendment Committee.

On Saturday, the SPLM-IO issued a statement protesting the manipulation of the bill and said that the SPLM-IO would on Saturday convene a meeting of the various SPLM-IO leaderships to discuss the matter.

Manawa Peter Gatkuoth, the SPLM-IO spokesman said the group will “convene on Sunday 12^th June 20122 an emergency joint leadership meeting of Political Bureau, SPLM (IO) Parliamentary and Executive Caucuses to discuss the matter.”

When contacted by Sudans Post, Puok Both Baluang, the SPLM-IO Director of Information and Public Relations, who doubles as the Press Secretary for the First Vice President, said confirmed that ” the meeting was conducted yesterday” Sunday.