Machar says deployment of troops ‘reminiscent’ of 2013, 2016 incidents

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 condemned the heavy deployment of security forces around his residence and in the whole of Juba city saying it creates unnecessary panic among the civil population is similar to incidents that led to December 2013 and July 2016 fighting in Juba.

On Sunday night, a heavily armed joint force of South Sudan National Security Service and South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) was deployed to the airport road that passes near the residence of Machar and security forces were turning away citizens who usually pass through that area creating tensions and fears of return to conflict among the civil population.

In a statement this afternoon, Machar confirmed the deployment of troops and said people entering and exiting his residence were not allowed to enter or exit by security forces and said the deployment, without explanation, was only removed on Monday morning.

“On Sunday night March 27, 2022, without prior information, the SSPDF deployed heavy armed forces with Armored Personnel Carriers (APCS) on all the routes leading to my residence, The Residence of The First Vice President. Persons who attempted to go to the residence were turn off by these troops. This deployment was removed only at 6:15 AM this morning March 28, 2022. There is no explanation provided to why this happened,” Machar said.

He said that the deployment of troops in Juba through the night was resulted in the creation of unnecessary tensions among the civil population and is disruptive to the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement signed by him and President Kiir in September 2018 and said it reminds of the 2013 and 2016 incidents that led to the deadly civil war.

“The deployment throughout the night created unnecessary tension and panic amongst the immediate neighbors, the citizens in Juba, the rest of the country and worldwide. 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 Agreement,” Machar said in the statement.

“It creates doubts nationally, regionally and internationally and reflects very poorly on the commitment of the parties to resolve their issues peacefully. It was a provocative and condemnable act reminiscent of incidents of December 15, 2013; J1 July 8, 2016; and the last week unnecessary parading of the newly acquired heavy weapons and APCs for the National Police, which are still in the streets of Juba. These create terror and panic,” he added.