The regional bloc, IGAD, has denied allegations that its leadership has banned South Sudan’s First Vice President and the leader of the armed opposition, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, from traveling outside the country.
According to the latest communique of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) heads of state and government, the bloc has not imposed any travel restrictions on Dr. Machar within or outside the region as speculated by Machar’s sypporters.
The regional leaders held an important summit in the Djibouti capital, Djibouti, to deliberate on heated regional tension between and within the Eastern African countries.
On South Sudan, IGAD has acknowledged the progress on the implementation of the peace agreement that include establishment of the RTGONU, local and state governments, and also progressed on the peace talks in Rome.
“Recognized and applauded the progress made in the formation of state and local government structures, in particular the appointment of nine out of the ten state governors, as well as the agreement on the allocation of positions at the state and local levels, and called for the expeditious conclusion of the remaining appointment” The communique added.