Rebel Leader Machar May Take Post Of South Sudan First Vice President In May - Minister

Sumaira FH Published February 11, 2019 | 09:09 PM

Rebel leader Riek Machar is expected to arrive in the capital of South Sudan, Juba, in May to take the post of first vice president, Nhial Deng Nhial, the foreign minister of South Sudan, told Sputnik

ADDIS ABABA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 11th February, 2019) Rebel leader Riek Machar is expected to arrive in the capital of South Sudan, Juba, in May to take the post of first vice president, Nhial Deng Nhial, the foreign minister of South Sudan, told Sputnik.

"Yes, [he will come] to take the post of first vice president of the republic," the minister said when asked whether Machar would come to Juba in May.

A civil war erupted in South Sudan in 2013, just two years after the country gained independence from Sudan. South Sudanese President Salva Kiir accused then-Vice President Riek Machar and several others of planning a coup, resulting in an armed confrontation between the government and rebel forces led by Machar. A fragile peace was reached in September 2018 after several failed attempts to end the fighting. As part of the deal, Machar will return as vice president.