South Sudan’s Minister of Interior has ordered the deportation of 16 Kenyans and four British nationals on allegations of threatening national security.
The deportation order was announced by Juba City Council last Tuesday.
“There are four British nationals and 16 Kenyan nationals; they have been given 72 hours to pay all dues which they owe the government, and also pay our people their pensions…then leave the country,” the Council said.
All of the targeted foreigners work for a private security firm called Insight Security.
Meanwhile, South Sudan rebel groups that were not part of the September 2018 peace deal have formed a leadership council for the South Opposition Movements, with an aim of uniting the opposition under a "strong coalition" capable to oust the government of President Salva Kiir.
The new body was unveiled on Friday evening during a meeting in the Netherlands, attended by representatives of the South Sudan National Democratic Alliance (SSNDA), the Real Sudan People's Liberation Movement (R-SPLM), and South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A).
In a Declaration of Principles issued following their meeting, the opposition movements agreed on a spirit of mutual understanding and respect, integrity and strong collaboration as a hallmark of working relationships amongst all our stakeholders.
Emmanuel Ajawin, secretary general of the opposition coalition South Sudan National Democratic Alliance (SSNDA), said Saturday: “The three leaders of the three opposition groups will work together to lead the new body."
Ajawin added that some components of the new coalition would continue the armed struggle against the South Sudanese government.
“We agreed that the current situation in South Sudan needs political solutions. Our position is that the military solution is not the only way for peace in our country,” he said.
Ajawin added that the possibility of negotiating with the government is there, “however, we have not yet discussed the issue extensively. We believe that any political problem needs to be solved through political means.”
The meeting on Friday was attended by leader of the National Salvation Front (NAS) ex-general Thomas Cirillo and rebel leader General Paul Malong.
