TVC E. The South Sudanese opposition has deposed its leader and the country’s vice-president RiekMachar. A section of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition ( SPLM-IO) appointed minister of mining and SPLM-IO chief negotiator Taban Deng Gai as the acting vice-president, at least until Machar returns to the capital Juba.
The move came as Machar’s whereabouts are unknown, after he fled Juba following deadly fightingthat left at least 300 people dead earlier in July.
Machar, who accused government forces of opening fire on his troops, said he would return to the capital once a third party force is deployed to ensure his and his officials’ protection.
“In our resolution also General Taban Deng Gaipromised all of us and he will say it to you all, ‘I will be the First Vice President of The Republic of South Sudan and if [Riek Machar] returns, he will step down,” said spokesperson Ezekiel Gatkuoth, according to Radio Tamajuz.
