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UN chief pledges to convince S. Sudan rebel leader to return to Juba

Xinhua, February 26, 2016 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday pledged to convince South Sudan's rebel leader Riek Machar to return to Juba to form a transitional government as stipulated in peace deal signed in August last year.

The UN chief on Thursday held closed-door talks with South Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit in the capital Juba.

"The secretary-general also assured the president that he will urge Riek Machar to come as soon as possible so that the transitional government of national unity can be formed," South Sudan's Foreign Minister Barnaba Benjamin told the reporters following the meeting.

He said President Kiir reiterated to the UN chief that he would ensure the peace agreement would be fully implemented.

Earlier, President Kiir appointed Machar as First Vice-President, but Machar refused to return to Juba as he insists President Kiir's decision to re-divide the country into 28 states must be canceled.

In the meantime, the UN chief also held discussions with several officials during the one-day visit before he left for the Democratic Republic of Congo to assess the humanitarian situation there.

South Sudan plunged into violence in December 2013, when fighting erupted between troops loyal to President Kiir and defectors led by his former deputy Machar. Endit