Dr Riek Machar, leader of the SPLM-IO

The government has expressed concerns over the intended visit by the leader of the SPLM-in Opposition to Khartoum this week.

Dr. Riek Machar is expected to meet with officials of the Sudanese government during the visit as part of his regional tour of the IGAD member-countries.

According to media reports, Machar says he will discuss issues of the peace dialogue in Addis Ababa with the Sudanese government.

However, the Press Secretary in the Office of the President, Ateny Wek Ateny told Eye Radio that the visit should not impact negatively on the relations between South Sudan and Sudan.

“But if he goes to Khartoum in order to lobby Khartoum for war or for assistance to continue the war; that will be very unfortunate,” he said.

“And Khartoum as a country that is implementing with us the Cooperation Agreement has to be very careful on that visit, and to see that visit very carefully.”

In September of 2012, both South Sudan and Sudan signed a series of cooperation agreements which covered oil, citizenship rights, security issues, banking, border trade among others and among others.

The deal is aimed at settling post-secession contentious issues.