S. Sudan leader, opposition head agree to form gov’t

JUBA, South Sudan

South Sudan President Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar on Thursday agreed to resolve all outstanding issues after the formation of the Transitional Government of National Unity on Feb.22.

“The issue of security of Juba will be my responsibility and I will provide protection to all opposition leaders, including Riek Machar, my forces will be in charge of security of Juba until the training of all unified forces is completed,” Kiir said after his meeting with Machar in Juba.

He urged the citizens to be patient and give peace a chance.

The president said he would appoint Machar as his first vice president on Friday.

According to him, the government will be dissolved anytime and the new government will be formed on Feb. 22.

He called on refuges and internal displace persons in the country to return to their regions as peace prevails in the country.

Machar, for his part, said he agreed with Kiir on resolving the remaining outstanding issues following the formation of the new government.