Tag: FVP Dr. Riek Machar

FVP Machar leads a one-day workshop on federalism

First Vice-President, Dr. Riek Machar during a one-day training on federal system of government on Oct 27, 2020|Photo: Thessherald)
First Vice-President, Dr. Riek Machar during a one-day training on federal system of government on Oct 27, 2020|Photo: Thessherald)

October 27, 2020 (Thessherald)–South Sudan’s First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar has led a one-day workshop geared towards preparing the nation for a federal system of government.

“South Sudan has launched a workshop today in a bit to prepare the country for federalism. Organized by the ministry of Federal Affairs, the occasion was attended by senior government officials and a number of foreign diplomats,” the Office of the First Vice-President said this evening.

The training, attended by top government officials, spurs the country’s leaders to implement federalism, a popular demand of citizens.

“In his opening remarks, the country’s First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, said federalism has been a popular demand of the people of South Sudan since 1947.”

South Sudan’s government has recently formed a new docket that works to implement a federal system of government.

“Participants will brainstorm on how best to develop a policy framework for the federal system of government. The matter will also be tackled in the permanent constitution-making process in accordance with the R-ARCSS.”

Federalism in South Sudan

South Sudan inherited and adopted 10 states from Sudan. After the 2013 conflict, the main opposition, the SPLM-IO, proposed the creation of 21 states, which was presented at the negotiations. The response of the government then was that the issue of states needed popular consultations with the people. At the same time, the people of Equatoria were pushing for the establishment of a federal system.

In reaction to this, the President issued an executive order in October 2015 dissolving the 10 states and creating 28 new states.

However, as the Parties hit a snag on the implementation of the proposed federalism, President Kiir returned the country to its previous 10 states.

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Kiir, Machar make significant breakthrough in allocation of states

President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the First Vice-president Dr. Riek Machar meeting at the State House on June 17, 2020 to resolve outstanding issue regarding the allocation of states | Photo credit: PPU

June 18, 2020 (Thessherald)–South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the First Vice-President, Dr. Riek Machar have finally agreed on the long-awaited allocation of states – an important step that will lead to the appointment of state governors.

“H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, the President of the Republic and Dr. Riek Machar Teny, the First Vice President of the Republic met this morning 17th June, 2020 to continue consultations with respect to the impasse over allocation of the States,” said the Presidency on Wednesday.

“I am happy to announce following today’s round of discussions which comes in the wake of an earlier meeting on Saturday 14th June, 2020, that H.E. the President and the First Vice President have now agreed that, the States of the Republic of South Sudan shall be allocated among the parties signatory to the ARCSS as follows.”

• The Former ITGONU shall nominate the Governors for each of the following six (6) States;

(a) Northern Bahr El Ghazel State Warrap State Lakes State (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) Eastern Equatoria State Central Equatoria State Unity State

• The SPLM (I0) shall nominate the governor for each of the following three (3) States;

a) Western Bahr El Ghazel State,

b) Western Equatoria State

c) Upper Nile State

• The South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) shall nominate the Governor for Jonglei State.

Nhial Deng Nhial, the Minister in the President’s Office, says the remaining outstanding issues will be resolved at a later time.

“Matters pertaining to the composition of the Executive and Legislature in the states shall be discussed and agreed at a later date.”

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Machar, Angelina are back on their feet after contracting COVID-19, more on SSBC tonight

Opposition leader Dr.
Riek Machar and his wife, Angelina Teny posing for a picture in their official residence after contracting COVID-19/Photo: Office of the First Vice-President

COVID-19 Updates


May 24, 2020 (Thessherald)–South Sudan’s First Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar and Minister of Defense and Veteran Affairs, Angelina Jany Teny are faring well, and are due to appear on SSBC TV toning to reassure the nation about their health conditions after days of uncertainty.

“South Sudan’s First Vice President, H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, and the Minister of Defense and Veterans Affairs, H. E. Madam Angelina Teny, giving Eid El Fitre Al Mubarak and in-good-health update on COVID-19 statements to SSBC today, Sunday, 24 May, 2020, from their official residencein Juba,” said James Gatdet Dak, Press Secretary in the Office of the FVP.

Last week, South Sudan’s First Vice-President Dr. Riek Machar and his wife, Angelina who’s also a senior government official had contracted the virus after coming into contact with infected members of the High-Level Task Force on COVID-19.

South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation has a total of 655 confirmed cases of COVID-19, 6 recoveries and six deaths.

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Ethiopian officials pay courtesy call on FVP Machar, urges compromise on state’s issue

High-Level Delegation pays courtesy visit to South Sudan First Vice-President, Dr. Riek Machar/Photo:Office of the FVP.

May 9, 2020 (Thessherald)–A group of high-level delegation from Ethiopia has met with the First Vice-President, Dr. Riek Machar, and discussed the issue related to the implementation of the peace agreement and how contentious issues could be addressed.

“A high level delegation from the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia arrived Juba today, Saturday, May 9, 2020, led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Gedu Andergachew. The delegation met with the First Vice President, H.E. Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, and discussed the need to amicably resolve the issue of allocation of States among the Parties to R-ARCSS.”

The FVP’s Office reveals that the Ethiopian officials have come to Juba on purpose to convey a message sent by the Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed about the recent disagreement between the Parties on the allocation of states.

“They said they came on an urgent mission to convey a brotherly message from the Ethiopian Prime Minister, H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed, on the concerns about the deadlock on allocation of States.
The delegation was also expected to meet H. E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit.”

“The First Vice President appreciated the delegation for coming to Juba despite challenges posed by Covid-19.”

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Kiir, Machar agree on allocation of ministries and formation of R-TGNU

(Thessherald)–South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit and First Vic-president Dr. Riek Machar met at the State House on Thursday, where they discussed allocation of ministerial portfolios and the formation of the coalition government.

The President of the Republic, H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit and the First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny met at the State House on Thursday for a consultative meeting to discuss issues related to the appointment of cabinet ministers to the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity,” the Presidency said this evening.

Speaking to the press shortly after the meeting, the Minister of Presidential Affairs, Mayiik Ayii Deng said, “President Salva Kiir and Dr. Riek Machar consulted each other on the way forward for the formation of the unity government.”

South Sudan’s government and the opposition have failed in the past few weeks to make concessions on key ministerial positions.

The two leaders have come under increasing pressure from the international community to accelerate the formation of the Transitional National Unity Government.

On Wednesday, the United Nations Security Council cautiously welcomed the steps taken by the parties and underscored the importance of the full implementation of the peace agreement.

“The members of the Security Council welcomed encouraging developments in South Sudan’s peace process, including the beginning of the formation of a Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGNU), and recognized that this represents a significant step towards sustainable peace by the parties to the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan,” said the UNSC in a strongly worded statement.

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