Question NW2847 to the MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

Share this page:

07 December 2017 - NW2847

Profile picture: Kalyan, Ms SV

Kalyan, Ms SV to ask the MINISTER OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND COOPERATION

(1) Is Dr Riek Machar being hosted as a guest of the State; if so, (a) for what period will the specified person be hosted as a guest of the State and (b) what are the conditions, if any, of his stay; (2) Is the specified person’s communication with any (a) of his former advisors and/or (b) leaders of other international bodies is being monitored; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (3) whether the specified person is perceived as a threat to the national security of the specified person’s home country; if so, what are the relevant details? NW3154E

Reply:

1. Yes, Dr Riek Machar is hosted as a guest of the State.

a) At this stage the duration of Dr Riek Machar’s stay in South Africa is not known. Dr Machar came to South Africa on humanitarian grounds following consultations with the Government of the Republic of South Sudan and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

b) The conditions of Dr Machar’s stay in South Africa are that he may not engage in any activity that would contribute to the escalation of conflict in South Sudan.

2. Dr Machar’s communication is not monitored.

3. It has to be noted that there is conflict in South Sudan between government forces and the opposition armed rebel factions, including the armed rebel group led by Dr Machar. The African Union and the region through IGAD, are assisting the Republic of South Sudan to resolve the conflict.

UNQUOTE

Source file