Machar’s SPLM-IO lifts restrictions on gov’t officials travelling to areas it control

JUBA – South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, SPLM-IO, led by the country’s First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny has announced that it has lifted restrictions it imposed on government officials travelling to areas that it control.

South Sudan’s minister of water resources and irrigation and the SPLM-IO Deputy Chairperson of National Committee for Information and Public Relations Manawa Peter Gatkuoth said the country is no longer controlled separately, citing the revitalized peace agreement that unleashed the unity government.

“All the territories of South Sudan belong to one government led by President Salva Kiir, and Dr. Riek Machar and other vice presidents,” Gatkuoth said during an interview with the Juba-based Radio Miraya.

South Sudan descended into a civil war in December 2013 after a national convention of the ruling SPLM party sparked violence that triggered army infighting and mutineers following civil massacres in the country’s capital Juba.

Since then, the country has been differently controlled by the warring factions with SPLM-IO being one of them banning government officials from visiting areas that it control, something that has also been done by the government of President Salva Kiir Mayardit.