NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 1 – About 7, 000 Kenyans have told the government that they will not leave South Sudan despite the conflict that has left thousands of people killed.
The Foreign Ministry said the Kenyans who live and do business in various parts of the conflict-ridden country have informed them that they are not threatened, at all, with the conflict.
“The remaining Kenyans numbering 6,921 across the country have expressed willingness to continue with their businesses since there is no immediate threat to their security,” the statement read.
Since the war broke out, about 20,000 Kenyans have returned home, some by road while 3000 others were airlifted by the government, in a rescue mission coordinated by the military.
The ministry said it was preparing to airlift the remaining 200 Kenyans who are willing to be taken back home from United Nations camps in Malakal.
The ministry was however, optimistic that the violence would come to an end following peace talks initiated by the Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
On Tuesday, South Sudan’s rebel leader Riek Machar told AFP he was sending a delegation for peace talks with the government in Ethiopia and was not yet ready for face-to-face talks with President Salva Kiir.
Machar also ruled out an immediate ceasefire, saying this “needed to be negotiated” and that in the meantime the rebels would continue to fight.
“Our forces are still marching on Juba, there is no cessation of hostilities yet,” Machar said, speaking by satellite telephone from an undisclosed location inside South Sudan.
“That is what the delegation is going to Addis Ababa to discuss and to negotiate.”
He said troops loyal to him had recaptured the town of Bor on Tuesday, some 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of the capital Juba.
Machar said he was not yet ready for face-to-face talks with Juba’s leadership.
“It depends on how the negotiations go,” he said.
“I will follow later, once the negotiations have resulted in a cessation of hostilities. It depends on if and when that is achieved,” he added.
“We did not ask for this battle, it was forced upon us,” Machar said, again dismissing Kiir’s allegations that he started the fighting by attempting a coup.
Machar is sending a three person team of senior leaders, including Rebecca Garang, a powerful politician, respected Dinka leader and widow of former South Sudan’s founding father John Garang.
The other two in the delegation are Taban Deng Gai, a former governor of oil-rich Unity state, large parts of which are under rebel control, and Hussein Mar, former deputy governor of Jonglei.
But he also demanded Juba release several key leaders arrested following the outbreak of fighting on December 15, especially Pagan Amum, the former secretary-general of the ruling party.
“They must release the prisoners,” Machar said, adding that Amum was needed to head the rebel delegation at any peace talks.-capitalfm.co.ke/news
