Riek Machar, the country's former first vice president, and his allies ordered their forces to reorganize for "armed resistance" to the South Sudan government after talks over the weekend in Khartoum. State Department spokesman John Kirby said Washington ......
WASHINGTON The State Department on Wednesday strongly condemned comments by South Sudan's opposition leader calling for a return to war against the government, saying it was "inexcusable" and showed a lack of concern for the well-being of the people.Riek Machar, the country's former first vice president, and his allies ordered their forces to reorganize for "armed resistance" to the South Sudan government after talks over the weekend in Khartoum.State Department spokesman John Kirby said Washington had seen Machar's statements and "strongly condemned" them, saying the violence of the past few years had proven fighting would not resolve the country's underlying conflict. "We find it inexcusable that he would continue to promote armed resistance," Kirby told reporters. "It indicates a lack of concern for the well-being of the South Sudanese people, many of whom continue to struggle just to survive and just as much want to see peace."Machar led a two-year rebellion against forces loyal to his longtime rival, President Salva Kiir, before the two sides reached a peace deal in August 2015. Under the deal, Machar returned to the capital Juba and resumed his role as vice president. Fierce fighting flared between government and opposition forces in July, prompting Machar to withdraw from the country with his supporters. Kiir sacked him from his government position and named former opposition negotiator Taban Deng Gai as first vice president. (Reporting by Arshad Mohammed and David Alexander; Editing by Sandra Maler)
Newer articles:
- Pregnant and homeless: South Sudan's women refugees - 30/09/2016 21:20
- South Sudan: 100,000 people trapped in Yei, UN refugee agency warns - 30/09/2016 10:28
- Sudan accused of using chemical weapons in Darfur - 29/09/2016 08:21
- South Sudan: a lesson to the world in how not to build a nation - 28/09/2016 18:00
- South Sudan VP blames former rebel leader for unrest - 28/09/2016 16:42
Older news items
- South Sudan says rebel leader's call to arms 'unacceptable' - 28/09/2016 09:52
- Imagine Welcoming 8,200 South Sudanese Refugees In A Day - 28/09/2016 06:29
- U.N. Says South Sudan Thwarted Peacekeepers - 28/09/2016 04:31
- Confidential UN report details South Sudan threats, violence - 27/09/2016 14:57
- Aid workers pulled out of volatile South Sudan region - 26/09/2016 11:18
Latest news items (all categories):
- IGAD and South Sudan Strengthen National Coordination for the Implementation of the Building Women’s Economic Resilience for Sustainable Peace Project - 03/08/2026 18:53
- South Sudan plans interoperable birth registration, digital ID systems - 03/08/2026 18:50
- South Sudan Oil & Power Returns as South Sudan’s Premier Investment Platform - 03/08/2026 18:04
- Kenya: Mudavadi meets South Sudan foreign minister as Juba gears up for landmark elections - 03/08/2026 16:52
- A Long Road Home: Jal’s Journey Through Conflict and Separation - 03/08/2026 16:41
Random articles (all categories):
- Some rebels disarm, but no sign of olive branches – analysis - 14/06/2009 11:38
- Video: South Sudan Independence - 15/04/2011 11:01
- South Sudan Faces Tough Self-inflicted Challenges Months To Independence - 16/04/2011 01:00
- CIC readies for South Sudan, Uganda markets - 30/05/2013 13:40
- South Sudan’s Youth Must Stop the Politics of Sycophancy to Move Forward - 03/01/2026 23:52
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 148282 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 27915 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 25000 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 24324 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 22280 times
