JUBA, South Sudan—A faction of South Sudan’s armed opposition on Saturday said it had replaced its leader, who is also the country’s first vice president, a move that could lead to further turmoil following deadly clashes in the capital earlier this month.
Riek Machar, who led a rebellion against President Salva Kiir in December 2013 but signed a peace deal last year, is being replaced as Mr. Kiir’s deputy with Taban Deng, who acted as the rebels’ chief negotiator during peace talks, Mr. Machar’s chief of staff Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth said.
Mr. Deng will serve until Mr. Machar returns to the capital, Mr. Gatkuoth said. Mr. Machar fled Juba earlier this month after Mr. Kiir’s forces bombed his house during clashes that killed hundreds of people. He is now in hiding, and Mr. Kiir this week set a deadline for him to return to Juba by Saturday afternoon.
But Nyarji Roman, a Machar spokesman who is also in hiding, said the replacement of Mr. Machar is a conspiracy to overthrow him and that Mr. Machar fired Mr. Deng on Friday for holding unilateral negotiations with Mr. Kiir.
Mr. Deng has also rejected Mr. Machar’s support for an African Union intervention force to deploy in Juba. Supporters say Mr. Machar cannot safely return to Juba until such an outside force secures the city.
Government spokesman Michael Makuei said Mr. Kiir’s side would have “no problem” if the opposition decided to replace Mr. Machar.
Deng led an opposition team that returned to Juba following the peace deal, paving the way for Mr. Machar’s eventual return in April to take up his old post as the president’s deputy in a national unity government.
But divisions within opposition ranks have grown into the current split. There is also strong opposition to Deng among powerful militia groups who fought on Mr. Kiir’s side during the civil war in oil-rich Unity state, home to Messrs. Deng and Machar.
—Copyright 2016 Associated Press
