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Fugitive Leader Denies Coup Attempt
Fugitive former South Sudanese vice-president Riek Machar has denied government allegations that he tried to stage a coup at the weekend.
In a BBC interview, he denied any link with fighting that began on Sunday.
Mr Machar, who fell out with President Salva Kiir in July, accused him of “inciting tribal and ethnic violence” to cover his own failings.
The UN has said the fighting has claimed hundreds of lives, and warned that it could descend into a civil war.
President Kiir has said a group of soldiers supporting Mr Machar had tried to take power by force on Sunday night, but were defeated.
He said the clashes began when uniformed personnel opened fire at a meeting of the governing party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).
But Mr Machar told the BBC on Wednesday: “There was no attempted coup.”
He blamed Sunday’s fighting on a conflict between members of the presidential guard, and said it spread across parts of the capital, Juba.
He added that government troops used the incident to arrest some of his supporters on Monday, and that he himself escaped.
“Someone wanted to frame me,” he said. “I had to flee. They are hunting me down.”
The whereabouts of Mr Machar are unclear. He told the BBC he was still in South Sudan and was “not going to leave the country”.
BBC
Posted by
atishani
December 18, 2013 at 4:01 pm
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zambien
December 19, 2013 at 10:29 am
you will always be poor becoz of lust for power. when are you going to enjoy your peace?
CALLED WISE
December 19, 2013 at 11:49 am
We are a rich continent!!!
So boastfull we African people are.
2 years down the line since Gadaffi left; our Lybian brothers thought he was what was previnting the Manna from falling but gunshots are still echoing in Benghazi and other parts of the country. Some are crying saying they were better off being with Gadaffi. Tribalism, hatred, envy, jealousy, greediness, selfishness are what is destroying Africa. Love of power has replaced the power of love; especially among our leaders. They claim to speak for the people while campaigning but once in power, they start speaking and caring for themselves. Unless we love each otherand start caring for one another, we will be and remain a rich-poor continent till the end of time.
Reason
December 19, 2013 at 1:09 pm
@ Called Wise, Thanks friend, you are trully wise. Very well put regarding the status quo of nation-states in Africa. It’s a very painfull reality to be aware that we are a rich-poor continent otherwise referred to as the sleeping giant. Africa stand up and rise!!! Awake Africa from your slumber …….!!!