This move threatens to split the SPLM-IO into two factions, one faction that recognizes Taban Deng as a valid member of the movement and the new first vice president, and the other faction remaining behind Machar.
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“In exercise of my powers, as First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan, as per the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, Article 6, I hereby withdraw and recall Gen. Taban Deng Gai as Minister of Mining in the Transitional Government of National Unity as from today, 22nd of July, 2016”, partly reads the letter addressed to President Salva Kiir and copied to JMEC and IGAD. Riek Machar was sworn in as South Sudan’s first vice president, hours after his return to the capital Juba on Tuesday.
Machar has not been seen in public since then.
Machar said he would nominate a replacement minister as soon as he returns to Juba and once a third party force is deployed to the capital.
Kiir’s officials have been hinting at backing Taban Deng to replace Machar for several days now, also saying Machar’s bodyguards will not be allowed to return back to Juba. He has since said he will not return until an outside force can guarantee his safety.
Two years of civil war that erupted after Kiir sacked Machar as Vice President in 2013 has killed more than 10,000 people and displaced over 2 million, many of whom fled to neighbouring countries.
Forces loyal to Kiir or Machar fought bloodily from July 8 to 11, although the presidential troops had overwhelmingly superior firepower, in helicopters and tanks.
Machar has issued a directive all the members of his group and military commanders to cut off communication with Gai who had earlier reported to have accepted to assume the former rebel leader’s responsibility as first vice-president in the unity government.
In attendance also were the Minister of Housing Development, Minister of Mining and former Chief Negotiator of SPLM-IO Taban Deng Gai, Richard K. Mulla, Deputy Minister of Interior, Doup Lam, Director General for National Security, services and Intelligences of the SPLM-IO and Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, Chief of Staff in the office of FVP Dr. Riek Machar.
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Separately, Machar, in a statement to Kiir received by AFP on Saturday, said he had fired Gai as minister. However, Machar, who fled Juba last week, did not give reasons for the dismissal.
