President Salva Kiir says he is willing to have dialogue with his political rival Riek Machar. Kiir provided a statement to several journalists after a security meeting he was chairing in military uniform. But on the local radio he was still using hostile language towards Riek Machar stating that his rival “has lost his chance to be president because he has caused this war”. But to other reporters he used a different tone. \u201cI will sit down with Riek. We will talk, but I don\u2019t know what the result will be,\u201d Kiir told a small group of reporters.<\/p>\n
Kiir acknowledged that Peter Gadet had started a campaign against him in Jonglei, but he did not mention the troops of Gadet had captured Bor on Wednesday morning. Peter Gadet is a former army general of the SPLA. He is amongst other Nuer soldiers who are frustrated not having received the full recognition with the regular forces. He was mainly active in Unity State.<\/p>\n
The presidential press office added with some emphasis that James Wani Igga, the new vice president who had replaced Riek Machar in July, was present at the meeting. His position in the conflict remained unclear. During the past few days of fighting in Juba he did not make any comments as other ministers did. Salva Kiir and even the cameramen were dressed in military uniform.<\/p>\n
US Ambassador Susan Page met on Wednesday with President Kiir in Juba to discuss concerns about the continued violence, increasing death toll, and growing humanitarian challenges. She raised the arrests of several opposition members and called on the government to ensure their rights are protected in accordance with South Sudan\u2019s constitution and international humanitarian and human rights laws and norms, the embassy stated.<\/p>\n
Picture: Cabinet Meeting South Sudan on Wednesday 18 December with president in military uniform (Source: GOSS)<\/em><\/p>\n