Machar dragged to court over eight-year-old debt

JUBA – South Sudan’s First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar is facing a lawsuit from a local businessman for a loan he took about eight years ago when the civil war first broke out in the country’s capital Juba, according to a statement extended to Sudans Post.

Thalage Wal Goch who is in Juba said in the statement that he has launched a lawsuit against Machar who he said has fail to pay back the loan while not cooperating in order for the two to reach consensus on how to repay the money after several requests for him to meet Machar were turned down.

“Today 18/08/2021, I filed a CIVIL LEGAL CASE (Breach of Contract) against Dr Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, First-Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, Chairman and Commander-In-Chief of SPLM/SPLA-In-Opposition for failing and refusing to repay a loan he had borrowed since 2014, 2015 and 2016,” Goch said in the statement.

“I made my decision to take this case further to the South Sudan Court, through the Ministry of Justice to recover my loan after a failed meeting between me, Thalage Wal Goch (lender), my lawyer and Dr Riek Machar (borrower) and his team, 13 people including 4 lawyers in his Office on 17/08/2021, in Juba, South Sudan,” he added.

He said the loan has been outstanding since 2014 and that by Machar’s alleged rejection to meet him, he assume that the borrower has refused to pay back the money and has no choice, but to launch a lawsuit after he was intimidated and mocked following a six-hour-long waiting.

“After 8 years (2014-2021) waiting patiently, today Dr Riek Machar refused to repay my loan and resolve this case amicably, but instead of threatening, intimidating and mocking me in the Office of First-Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan after I waited for long 6 hours from 1am-5pm,” he said.

“For these reasons, I stand solidly behind my decision to pursue my legitimate right till justice prevails sooner or later. On 28/08/2021, my lawyer and I will address the Media to present the facts, evidence and the nature of this legal case,” he added.