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          After Delays, South Sudan Rebel Chief Set to Return to Juba

   by Waakhe Simon Wudu, Dan Joseph

   South Sudanese rebel leader Riek Machar is due to arrive in the capital
   Tuesday, after several cancellations that have held up the peace
   process aimed at ending the country's civil war.

   Dignitaries were gathered at the airport in Juba, waiting for Machar to
   return for the first time since war erupted in 2013.  Machar is due to
   be sworn in as vice president soon after he arrives, then begin
   formation of a unity government with President Salva Kiir.

   Disputes over the number of soldiers and types of weapons Machar's
   forces can bring into Juba have held up his return.

   The United Nations has pressured both the government and rebels to
   ensure Machar's arrival.  Monday, a U.N. spokesman said, "We'd like to
   see him back as soon as possible; it's an integral part of hopefully
   returning some peace to South Sudan."

   ''

   Tens of thousands have been killed and more than 2 million displaced
   since a political feud between President Kiir and his former deputy
   Machar erupted into fighting two-and-a-half years ago.

   The sides signed a peace deal last August but implementation has been
   slow and fighting has continued in much of the country.

   On Monday, one of Machar's top officials arrived in Juba from Gambela,
   Ethiopia, along with nearly 200 military personnel.

   Like Machar, General Simon Gatwech was expected to arrive last week,
   but officials said his chartered plane was not granted permission to
   land by South Sudan's government until Sunday evening.

   Dressed in a green military uniform, Getwech disembarked at Juba
   International Airport along with 195 SPLM-in-Opposition military
   officers, 20 rocket-propelled grenades and 20 machine guns, an
   agreement reached between government and SPLM-IO officials after days
   of negotiations.

   Machar did not travel with his top commander Monday despite
   confirmation from both sides that the government had provided all
   necessary clearances for him to fly in South Sudanese air space.

   Information Minister Michael Makuei told South Sudan In Focus Monday
   that despite the repeated delays, the government assured SPLM-IO
   officials that Machar can travel safely to the capital.

   Makuei also said the government is prepared to cover Machar's
   transportation costs to Juba after the United States, Britain and
   Norway said they would no longer provide chartered jet service for
   Machar or his top commanders back to Juba.

   Despite Machar's repeated delays, which has further set back his
   swearing-in date and the formation of the Transitional Government of
   National Unity, Makuei urged South Sudanese to remain hopeful.

   "They should not just give up and get frustrated and wait for Riek
   Machar," he said.  "We have been waiting for him all this time and it
   is only a question of a few days and he will be in.  I am sure within
   this week Riek Machar will be here unless he changes his mind."

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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/after-delays-south-sudan-rebel-chief-
   set-to-return-to-juba/3302956.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/after-delays-south-sudan-rebel-chief-set-to-return-to-juba/3302956.html