Dr Riek Machar, leader of the SPLM-IO

Dr Riek Machar has told the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission that a plan for him to be in Juba next week is not workable.

He has confirmed that he would come to Juba on the 18^th of April.

Dr Riek Machar made the remark of his new schedule in reply to a letter by the JMEC.

JMEC Chairman Festus Mogae had written to Dr Riek on Tuesday, telling him that his transport to Juba could be arranged for the 12th of April.

In the letter dated 5 April, Mr Mogae told Dr Riek that the transport of 1,370 troops of the SPLM in Opposition would be complete by Friday.

He said Dr Riek and the accompanying delegation of 75 would then be in Juba on Tuesday next week for formation of a government of national unity next Thursday.

“As agreed with the Government of South Sudan, the inauguration of the transitional government of national unity and appointment of ministers will occur on Thursday, 14 April, with a first meeting of the transitional council of ministers on Friday, 15 April,” he told Dr Machar.

Mr Mogae said the Ethiopian government will have taken the weapons to Juba this Saturday.

In his response dated sixth of April, Dr Riek commended the progress made in transporting some of his security forces to Juba.

He said he was looking forward to the transportation to Juba of the armaments of the security personnel as planned.

Dr Riek then concluded that the plan for him to be in Juba on the 12th of April was not workable, without elaborating.

“This plan would not be workable. We have programed my arrival in Juba for April 18. As for other issues you raised, those would be concluded after my arrival,” Dr Machar said in a letter.

But in a previous statement, a spokesperson of the advance team in Juba, Sebit Magok, said his leader would meet the South Sudanese community in Ethiopia this Saturday.

On 12 and 13 April, he would be meeting some organizations in Pagak.