Sudan government stops Riek Machar from holding press conference
Elisabeth Janaina
Sudan government stops Riek Machar from holding press conference
The Sudanese government has stopped South Sudan’s armed opposition leader Riek Machar from holding a press conference in Khartoum, a spokesman for the Khartoum government said.
This comes after reports that the armed opposition faction led by Riek Machar held its leadership meetings in Khartoum to discuss the ongoing political crisis in South Sudan.
Information Minister Ahmed Bilal Osman told Radio Tamazuj that they rejected a request by Riek Machar to organize a press conference in Khartoum. He pointed out that Machar is in Khartoum for treatment only and that he is not allowed to conduct any political activities.
“Machar has made a request to hold a press conference, but we reject that,” said Bilal. “Machar is not here to support his opposition group, he is here for treatment, and he is not conducting any political activity,” he added.
Bilal, who is also the government spokesman, said that they are waiting for implementation of the security arrangements so Machar could return to South Sudan.
When asked about their threats to close the border with South Sudan, Bilal said Juba reiterated its readiness to expel insurgencies from South Sudan.