14/01/2025
Gen. Gathoth Gatkuoth Meets Dr. Riek Machar to Address South Sudan’s Key Challenges
Juba, South Sudan — January 13, 2025
The Chairman of the Federal Democratic Party, General Gathoth Gatkuoth Hothnyang, paid a significant visit to His Excellency Dr. Riek Machar Teny, the First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan. Accompanied by members of his party, Gen. Gathoth and Dr. Machar engaged in high-level discussions covering a range of critical national issues, including the extension of the general election by two years, economic hardships, and delays in wages for soldiers, officials, and civil servants.
The two leaders also addressed security concerns such as child abduction, cattle raiding, and violations of women’s rights, alongside environmental and health crises caused by oil spills in major fields like Tharjiath and Palogue, widespread flooding, and outbreaks of cholera and other waterborne diseases.
Additionally, they reviewed ongoing peace programs, including the Tumaini Initiative, and reiterated their commitment to engaging holdout groups to foster national reconciliation. Gen. Gathoth and Dr. Machar called on South Sudanese at home, in refugee camps, and the diaspora to return and contribute to peacebuilding, with a particular invitation extended to Gen. Simon Gatwech Dual and others in Nairobi as negotiations are set to resume.
The meeting ended with a shared vision to create a unified and peaceful South Sudan, prioritizing the well-being of its citizens and the nation’s stability.