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
- ^ Riek Machar (www.bbc.co.uk)
- ^ President Salva Kiir (www.bbc.co.uk)
- ^ Mr Machar's bodyguards and President Salva Kiir's presidential guards fought each other (www.bbc.co.uk)
- ^ Watch more clips at HARDtalk's website (www.bbc.co.uk)
- ^ BBC World News (www.bbc.co.uk)
- ^ BBC News Channel (www.bbc.co.uk)
- ^ BBC iPlayer (www.bbc.co.uk)
Newer articles:
- UN peacekeeping chief pleads for South Sudan arms embargo - 19/10/2016 09:16
- South Sudan conflict: Ex-VP Machar 'has no role' in politics - 18/10/2016 16:12
- An unwarranted attack on South Sudan - 18/10/2016 15:05
- South Sudan's second largest city scorched by renewed fighting - 18/10/2016 09:05
- South Sudan's protracted refugees in Uganda - 18/10/2016 07:23
Older news items
- At least 60 killed as fighting surges in South Sudan - 17/10/2016 05:49
- South Sudan is bleeding itself dry - 16/10/2016 16:12
- Fighting around South Sudan town of Malakal kills 56: government - 16/10/2016 14:33
- South Sudan: Exclusive - I Want to Meet President Zuma, Says S Sudan Rebel Leader - 16/10/2016 08:23
- South Sudan spends budget on fighting as people starve - 15/10/2016 03:10
Latest news items (all categories):
- Corruption Perceptions Index 2024, South Sudan slides to bottom overtaking Somalia - 11/02/2025 11:17
- Vacancy Announcements - UNICEF South Sudan (11/02/2025) - 11/02/2025 10:49
- President Salva Kiir sacks two vice presidents and others in a decree today (10/02/2025) - 10/02/2025 19:36
- South Sudan parties adjourn talks in Kenya - 10/02/2025 16:24
- South Sudan becomes 22nd African country to be affected by mpox - 10/02/2025 16:21
Random articles (all categories):
- South Sudan’s man-made famine demands a response - 22/02/2017 17:28
- UN accused of S Sudan 'indifference' - 09/04/2014 15:31
- Shun selfishness over River Nile, nations urged - 23/02/2022 02:17
- Water for South Sudan: Improving access to clean water for two decades - 13/10/2023 04:04
- South Sudan rebel leaders to attend peace day celebrations - 23/10/2018 08:12
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 70888 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 22374 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 21585 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 19362 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 19232 times