The statement by the US envoy that it would “not be wise” for former first vice president to return his post could obstruct the peace agreement, the spokesperson of Dr Machar has said.
On Thursday, the US special envoy to South Sudan and Sudan, Donald Booth, told the House of Foreign Affairs Committee that the sour working relations between President Salva Kiir and Dr Machar would make it difficult to fully implement the peace agreement.
He said it would be inappropriate for Dr Machar to assume his previous position, now being held by Taban Deng.
However, James Gatdet said the US statement could collapse the implementation of the peace agreement.
He told Eye radio that the peace agreement will not fully be implemented with the absence of Dr Machar, who he says, has a full command of the SPLA-IO forces.
“If the US government is saying that Dr Riek Machar should not participate in the Transitional Government of National Unity while he is chairman of the SPLM-IO that signed the peace agreement, and he is the Commander –in-Chief of the SPLA forces that signed the peace agreement, then this would mean that the peace agreement has collapsed,” Mr Gatdet stressed.
Dr Machar is now staying in Khartoum, Sudan. Sources close to him say he’s undergoing treatment after falling sick in the bush. He fled Juba after fighting broke out in Juba between his guards and those of President Kiir in July.
At least 300 people were killed in the fighting, according to government reports.