South Sudan rebel chief awaits permit to return

GAMBELLA, Ethiopia – South Sudan’s rebel chief Riek Machar appeared at an airport in Ethiopia ready to return home to Juba on Saturday, April 23, awaiting only government clearance to fly, after monitors completed weapons verification.

Without government permission to land in Juba, he will miss an international deadline to return to the capital to take up the post of vice president as part of a peace deal to end over two years of intense civil war.

Machar, wearing an open-necked orange shirt instead of military uniform, was ready to fly from the airport in the Ethiopian town of Gambella close to the border with South Sudan, but said he was unsure of what welcome he faced in Juba.

“I don’t know,” he said, adding, “I don’t see why I should seek landing permission.”

UN chief Ban Ki-moon has urged Machar to return to Juba “without delay”, while the US, Britain and Norway – key international backers of peace efforts – demanded he return by Saturday.

Machar was due to return to the capital Juba on April 18 to forge a unity government with his arch-rival President Salva Kiir.

His failure to arrive has thrown an August 2015 peace agreement into jeopardy, with US, Britain and Norway warning in a statement late Friday of the risk of “further conflict and suffering.” (READ: South Sudan’s peace deal hangs by a thread)

International monitors completed verification of the number of weapons carried by the rebels accompanying him, diplomats said Saturday.

There was no immediate response from the government, who previously said they would clear Machar’s plane to fly once the weapons-checking was completed.

Earlier on Saturday, Minister of Information Michael Makuei said he expected Machar’s arrival only on Monday.

There was growing frustration among the rebel troops in Gambella, who have now been there for several days waiting to leave.

‘Risk of further conflict’ 

Under intense international pressure, the two sides reached agreement on Friday on the number of troops protecting Machar and the exact number of weapons they can carry.

Machar can bring with him 195 men, carrying AK-47 assault rifles as well as 20 machine guns and 20 rocket-propelled grenades.

“The forces are ready,” rebel spokesman James Gadet said.

The US, Britain and Norway had on Friday appealed for Machar to return.

“We will pursue appropriate measures against anyone who further frustrates implementation of the peace agreement,” the trio said in a statement.

South Sudan’s civil war began in December 2013 when Kiir accused Machar of plotting a coup. The conflict has reignited ethnic divisions and been characterised by gross human rights violations.

It has included the abduction and rape of thousands of women and girls, massacres of civilians, recruitment of child soldiers, murder, mutilation and even cannibalism.

Machar, a former rebel leader turned deputy president, started a new rebellion after being fired by Kiir in 2013, fighting his way back to office.

A 1,370-strong armed rebel force has already arrived in Juba as part of the peace deal, and government forces say they have implemented their promise to pull all but 3,420 of their troops from the city.

All other soldiers have to remain at least 25 kilometers (15 miles) outside the capital. – Karim Lebour and Peter Martell, AFP/Rappler.com