'I'm going to return to South Sudan' says Riek Machar

The former vice-president of South Sudan, Riek Machar^[1], who fled the country in August has said he intends to return to the country.

"Because President Salva Kiir^[2] doesn't want democratic and transparent and fair elections to be conducted, he attacked us, he has restarted the war," he told BBC HARDtalk's Stephen Sackur, speaking from South Africa.

"But I am hoping that wise leaders in the region, and in Africa, and the rest of the word, will throw up a political process which will bring about peace again, and the resuscitation of the peace agreement, and the reconstitution of the transitional government of national unity," he added.

In July, Mr Machar's bodyguards and President Salva Kiir's presidential guards fought each other^[3], sparking days of violence.

Hundreds of people died, and more than 100,000 fled across the border.

Mr Machar also denied claims that he was a warmonger, insisting that his troops were simply defending themselves against government attacks.

President Kiir's officials accuse Mr Machar's forces of starting the attacks.

Watch more clips at HARDtalk's website^[4].

You can see the interview in full on HARDtalk on BBC World News and the BBC News Channel on Tuesday 18 October and after on BBC iPlayer (UK only).^[5][6][7]

References

1. ^{^} Riek Machar (www.bbc.co.uk)
2. ^{^} President Salva Kiir (www.bbc.co.uk)
3. ^{^} Mr Machar's bodyguards and President Salva Kiir's presidential guards fought each other (www.bbc.co.uk)
4. ^{^} Watch more clips at HARDtalk's website (www.bbc.co.uk)
5. ^{^} BBC World News (www.bbc.co.uk)
6. ^{^} BBC News Channel (www.bbc.co.uk)
7. ^{^} BBC iPlayer (www.bbc.co.uk)