South Sudan President Salva Kiir Appoints Rebel Leader Riek Machar, as first vice president

 

South Sudan's president  Salva Kiir has appointed his rival, rebel leader Riek Machar, as first vice president in a possible government of national unity

President Salva Kiir expects Machar to travel to Juba, the South Sudanese capital, soon, Ateny Wek Ateny told The Associated Press.

"I don't see any reason why he should not come to Juba. If there is a reason, then he should tell the world," Ateny said.

It was not possible to talk to Machar, who has been living in Ethiopia, but he has previously raised concerns about security arrangements as well as the creation of new states in South Sudan.

Machar and Kiir signed a peace deal in August, although sporadic fighting has continued between government forces and rebels in some parts of the oil-producing East African country.

Machar had been Kiir's deputy until July 2013, when his firing triggered a political crisis that later boiled over into a rebellion following a violent split among the security forces in Juba. Some of the fighting was along ethnic lines, and both sides have been accused of carrying out serious crimes against civilians.