The refusal of the Ethiopian government to clear a military leader has delayed the return of Dr Riek Machar to Juba, a spokesman has said.
“The plane which supposed to pick up the chief of general staff for SPLA/IO from Gambella, Makot airport has not been granted a landing permission by Ethiopian government,” said Major Dickson Gatluak, the deputy military spokesman.
“1st. Lt. Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual is supposed to be dispatched to Juba … to participate in the swearing in of Dr. Machar as the 1st Vice President on Monday and represent the SPLA/IO, which is the military wing made the delay,” he said in a statement.
The spokesman of the advance team in Juba, William Ezekiel, has confirmed the delay, but he told Eye Radio that Dr Riek may still arrive in Juba today.
However, Dickson said in the statement: “Due to incomplete logistical arrangement from the general headquarters in Pagak, [make] it [is] impossible for him to be sworn in today in Juba.”