Machar says peace can be ‘measured’ by situation of displaced citizens

JUBA, FEBRUARY 26^th 2023 (SUDANS POST) – South Sudan’s First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny on Sunday told the internally displaced person in the capital Juba that peace can only be measured by the situation of the displaced citizens across the country.

Machar who is also the leader of the main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) made the remarks while speaking to thousands of displaced persons at the former POC in Juba where he also called for reconciliation.

“As to whether there is peace in the country, it has to be measured by your situation. Because what took you to the POC, it is the war which happened. The war which took place here,” Machar told the displaced persons.

“You resorted to the United Nations and the United Nations became responsible for your protection, because there were innocent people who were killed. There were people who were killed despite being innocent and that’s why you run to the UN who then created a POC for you,” he added.

The powerful opposition leader further stated that the displaced persons have continued to live in side the IDP camps in Juba 54 months since the signing of the revitalized peace agreement and ten years since the outbreak of war in December 2013.

“Now you have stayed in the POC for ten years and since we signed the revitalized peace agreement, you stayed in the POC for additional 54 months which is four years and six months,” he said.

“Within this period, you would have come out of the POC. But you have continued to live in the POC because you believe there is no peace,” he added.