The Camp of South Sudan First Vice President Riek Machar has refuted claims that they were unwilling to speak to President Museveni or the African Union Mediators alias the Counsel of The Wise.
In a detailed response from James Gatdet DaK, Machars camp claimed they were ready for talks but the other camp made it hard, thwarting all attempts to sit on the table to hear the other side of the story.
“Dr. Machar was expecting to meet with the AU's 'Panel of the Wise' on Friday at 9:00-10:00 am per the Panel's schedule to tell his side of the story. However, his office was later on informed in the last minute that President Yoweri Museveni, who probably came to Juba purposely to sabotage the Panel's mission, rejected the proposed meeting with Dr. Machar,” Gatte claimed.
“And of course, no one guesses that he directed Salva Kiir not to let it happen. This is in the same way he blocked a proposed meeting between Dr. Machar and the IGAD's Special Envoy, Hon. Raila Odinga, former Prime Minister of Kenya, who was instead told by Salva Kiir to take permission from Museveni,” he added.
Machar’s camp alleges that they have been denied the opportunity to “ tell the world the truth” as their leader remains in detention over “ fabricated charges and appears before a kangaroo court in Juba.”
Meanwhile Sudan government refuted the claims citing that it is not true that Raila Odinga required any permission from President Museveni to meet Machar. They said the entire process misrepresents “ diplomatic principles”.
