SPLM-IO leader Dr Riek Machar will not come to Juba unless the government revokes the creation of more states and redeploy security forces outside Juba, his spokesman has told Eye Radio.

James Gatdet says the SPLM in Opposition still views the creation of more states as a violation of the peace agreement.

He said the government and the SPLM in Opposition are yet to agree on the location of military bases outside Juba.

“He will return to Juba after some outstanding issues have been resolved in the implementation of the peace agreement and these include amendment of the transitional constitution and to be passed by an expanded parliament and then implementation of the security arrangements including the withdrawal of the government forces from Juba and deployment of joint peace and monitoring forces,” Mr Gatdet stated.

Mr Gatdet also said that the government of national unity will not be formed in the absence of Dr Riek Machar.

He rejected government’s projection that the unity government will be formed in a week.

“If the government is really to form the transitional government, then it should speed up the implementation of the peace agreement,” he added.

A delegation of the SPLM in Opposition headed by Taban Deng Gai is in Juba to follow up the implementation of the agreement.

Early this week, JMEC chairman Festus Mogae directed the parties to the agreement to negotiate and reach consensus on the creation of more states.