JMEC says Machar to arrive in Juba on 12 April

April 5, 2016 (JUBA) - The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC), which oversees the implementation of the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCISS), has said the South Sudan's First Vice President designate, Riek Machar, who leads the armed opposition faction of the Sudan Peoples' Liberation Movement (SPLM-IO), will arrive in the national capital, Juba, on 12 April, 2016, and form a Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) with President Salva Kiir two days later.

In a timetable released on Monday seen by Sudan Tribune, JMEC said all the 1,370 of the opposition forces together with their other organic weapons such as PKMs and RPGs which were left behind will be in Juba by Friday, 8 April.

So far, 650 opposition forces have already arrived in Juba during the last one week, according to the SPLM-IO chief negotiator, Taban Deng Gai.

"We have been busy receiving a number of troops from Kaldak in Upper Nile through Malakal to Juba. We have 650 as of today [Tuesday] and we hope that all 1,370 troops shall be in Juba by 8th April 2016," Deng told the UN-run Miraya FM radio on Tuesday.

"Starting the second week of this month, the activities will gear towards receiving First Vice President, my Chairman, Dr Riek Machar Teny," he said.

About 130 of the SPLA-IO's troops are also expected to arrive in Juba on Tuesday evening, to make the total force 780 in number, opposition's sources told Sudan Tribune.

The remaining 800 protection forces are all expected to be in Juba during the next three days by Friday, making it possible for the top opposition leader to return to the capital.

Another force of over 1,500 of the opposition fighters will also soon begin to move to Juba by land or by river, to make the total force 2,910 of combined police and military categories in accordance with the peace agreement's security arrangements for Juba.

Chinese government has provided 1.7 tons of rice to the opposition forces, they said, including other units of the joint integrated forces. The SPLA-IO forces which have already arrived in Juba have also been provided with tents for shelters, beds and plastic chairs at their military camp at Jebel Kujur [Kerek], 2km south of Juba city center.

President Salva Kiir's government will also deploy about 5,000 police and military forces in Juba to team up with the opposition forces and provide security for Juba and protection of the two peace partners, but rival leaderships in the capital.

The rest of the excess forces of the government will be withdrawn from the capital to 25km away.

According to the JMEC's timetable, Machar upon his arrival on 12 April will immediately meet with President Salva Kiir for expansion and inauguration of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly the following day on 13 April.

On 14 April, the Transitional Government of National Unity will be inaugurated and national ministers appointed.

On 15 April, first meeting of the TGoNU Council of Ministers will be convened, followed by a meeting of the TGoNU with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank on how to finance the new government and rescue the country's deteriorating economy.

The IMF and World Bank meeting with the new government will take about three days.

On 18 April, there will be a meeting of the Boundary Commission which shall be established by the new government to review the number and boundaries of the states in South Sudan and recommend a way forward.

If all goes well according to the timetable, Machar has only six days to arrive in Juba, and eight days for formation of TGoNU.

The tentative schedule may however change depending on the arrangements on the ground including logistical preparations.

(ST)