South Sudan rebel chief to meet Uhuru

Former South Sudanese vice-president Riek Machar is expected to meet President Uhuru Kenyatta in Nairobi.

Dr Machar, who was sacked by President Salva Kiir before war broke out in the oil-rich nation, was Wednesday engaged in meetings in Nairobi with Kenyan leaders, including Nairobi’s special envoy to South Sudan Dalmas Otieno and Foreign Affairs representatives.

The Nation has learnt that President Kiir is expected in Kenya Thursday for what seems to be follow-up talks to the cessation of hostilities agreement that the two leaders recently signed in Addis Ababa.
Were killed

Dr Machar’s visit comes a week after more than 10 civilians were killed and several others wounded in a rebel onslaught in South Sudan’s oil-rich Upper Nile State.

South Sudan military spokesman Philip Aguer blamed soldiers loyal to the former vice-president for the attack in Barliet County, southeast of the state capital Malakal.

It was the second time the rebels were accused of violating the Addis Ababa agreement signed three weeks ago.

However, in a recent interview, Dr Machar maintained that he was committed to the peace deal and accused the government of violating the ceasefire.

And, in an exclusive interview with the Nation, Dr Machar’s ally and former South Sudanese ambassador to the US Ezekiel Gatkuoth said the rebels would not target civilians.