A senior faction of South Sudan’s armed opposition moved to replace its leader, the First Vice President Riek Machar who fled after fresh violence erupted in Juba.
South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir demanded his return in 48-hours but failed to honour the ultimatum which expired on Saturday 23rd July 2016.
South Sudan peace is on a threshold and apparent in disarray after Kiir announced that he had fired Machar and replaced with his on-time negotiator, General Taban Deng Gai.
Deng will be sworn in Tuesday 26th July 2016 as first vice president. Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, the former secretary for foreign affairs of the SPLM-in opposition, said Taban Deng has the support of the entire SPLM in opposition.
The violence broke in Africa’s youngest country after forces loyal to President Salva Kiir clashed with Machar’s loyalist.
The violence so far has claimed over 300 lives and thousands displaced, fleeing into the neighbouring countries.
U.S., India, Uganda and Kenya have evacuated their citizens in the war-torn country.
