Juba South Sudan, April 21, 2016
Tensions continue to build over delayed return of South Sudan rebel leader, Riek Machar to Juba.
Machar has failed to return to South Sudan’s capital Juba for the last three days over security detail dispute.
Machar who was expected to fly in to Juba from Gambela near Ethiopia border was to be sworn in as the First Vice President of South Sudan.
The rebel leader insisted that if he was to come he was travel with 162 soldiers besides 1,400 opposition’s troops who already are in Juba.
South Sudan government has now allowed additional 200 troops of the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLA) to travel with the first Vice President designate Riek Machar to Juba.
At least 195 soldiers are expected to arrive in Juba on Thursday 21st April 2016 accompanied by the Chief of General Staff of the SPLA-IO, General Simon Gatwech Dual, ahead of the arrival of Machar.
While briefing the media on Wednesday, the acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Peter Bashir Gbandi arrayed fears that the opposition group intended to bring advance arsenals, including laser guided missiles, and anti-tank artilleries to Juba but agreed on additional troops.
