Roundup: South Sudan's Kiir asks deputy to return to Juba within 48 hours

South Sudan President Salva Kiir on Thursday evening asked his deputy Dr. Riek Machar to return to the capital Juba within 48 hours to take part in the implementation of a peace deal signed in August 2015.

First Vice President Machar fled his base in Juba last week after more than four days of heavy fighting between his forces and those loyal to Kiir, leaving the peace pact in the balance. So far the whereabouts of the Machar remains unknown.

"I am hereby appealing to Dr. Riek Machar to return to Juba so that we can continue with the implementation of the peace agreement. As you are aware, this agreement needs the two of us to implement," Kiir said in a statement issued in Juba.

"I am appealing for your (Machar) return while reiterating my 100 percent commitment to ensuring your protection and overall security while in Juba in the way I did on that fateful night of July 8," he added.

The move comes as several countries have evacuated their citizens from cities in the world's youngest nation due to the re-surge of violence which started since July 7 between forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and Vice-president Riek Machar.

China, Italy, Germany, Britain, Japan, India and Uganda have already started evacuating their citizens from the country.

Aid workers say the humanitarian situation is dire and deteriorating. Food supplies were running low as tens of thousands of people were forced to flee their homes, taking refuge in UN bases.

"I am also time bound and as such, wish to inform you (Machar) that in the interest of time and for the continued implementation of the peace agreement, I will be expecting a response from your good self within forty eight hours so that we establish contact and continue building and promoting peace among our people now suffering because of this conflict," Kiir said in his appeal to Machar.

Machar's spokesperson James Gatdet Dak had said earlier that the former rebel leader will only return if a third party force is deployed in Juba to act as buffer zone between the rival army factions.

The South Sudan leader did not however specify what action he will take should his deputy fail to return within the two days.

Meanwhile, the General Court Martial established to try servicemen involved in crime during the recent fighting in Juba has begun its work.

Army spokesperson, Brigadier Lul Ruai Radio Miraya said the director of military justice at the SPLA has been instructed to receive and file cases from the public.

Ruai said the public should not hesitate to bring their complaints to the attention of either the military police or the military justice. Endit