South Sudan rebel deputy arrives in Juba under peace deal
General Alfred Ladu Gore (centre), deputy chairman and deputy commander-in-chief of the armed opposition faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), greets supporters upon his arrival at the Juba International Airport on April 12, 2016. This is the first time since January 2014 that the general has been in Juba. PHOTO | AFP
What you need to know:
Gore condemned the arrest of 16 supporters who had been mobilising people to welcome him back.
A 1,370-strong force of opposition soldiers and police completed their arrival over the weekend into Juba.
They are to ensure security for rebel chief Riek Machar — named as vice-president in February — who is due to arrive in Juba next week.
JUBA, Tuesday
South Sudan’s rebel deputy chief returned to the capital Juba today as part of a peace deal, raising hope for the expected arrival next week of the opposition leader.
Mr Alfred Ladu Gore, a former general and minister, spoke about peace after flying into the capital’s airport.
“I am very happy to be home... our advance team came here to proclaim peace and I have come to reaffirm that peace will not be reversed,” said Gore, who said it had been away for nearly two years. who came with a delegation of around 60.
“We have resolved to be together and to continue with our effort to rebuild this country. It is very important that this country must occupy its place among the free nations of the world,” he said, accompanied by a delegation of around 60.
However, Gore condemned the arrest of 16 supporters who had been mobilising people to welcome him back.
“Peace means freedom to express your mind, to gather together even if it means you disagree,” he said.
A 1,370-strong force of opposition soldiers and police completed their arrival over the weekend into Juba.
They are to ensure security for rebel chief Riek Machar — named as vice-president in February — who is due to arrive in Juba next week.
Mr Machar has said he will come to Juba on April 18 to form a unity government with President Salva Kiir, returning for the first time since he fled the capital in December 2013 when civil war broke out.
