The First Vice President Riek Machar is expected to arrive in Juba “by next week” and a Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) will be established “within the next two weeks.” These announcements were made by the Minister of Information Michael Makuei Lueth on Monday afternoon, as he welcomed the batch of SPLM/A-In Opposition (IO) forces to arrive in Juba.

The Minister’s optimism was echoed by Taban Deng Gai, chief negotiator for the Opposition, and the Vice Chairperson of the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission, François Lounceny Fall, who were both present when an UNMISS flight brought 39 SPLM/A-IO forces to the capital.

“This is a positive step. You can see how we are all jubilant. I agree with the Minister that very soon we will form the Transitional Government of National Unity. We appeal to the Government so that we can form a committee to work out the process and the steps of preparing for the reception of the First Vice President. We are happy, let the public be happy,” said Taban Deng.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Information was more specific when talking about a timeline for the arrival of Riek Machar and the formation of the TGoNU.

“We expect him (Riek Machar) to be arriving by next week, so that we thereafter establish the Transitional Government of National Unity”, Mr. Makuei said and added:  “From this place, I assure the people of South Sudan that within the next two weeks the TGoNU will be established.”

The Minister acknowledged that the realization of these milestones requires that a sufficient number of IO forces arrive in Juba, and urged the international community to keep supporting their return.

“I hope that our friends and partners, who accepted and who offered to transport them, will continue to transport them, probably up to the end of this week. By that time I hope that the required number that is supposed to report to Juba will be here, and thereafter we will expect the arrival of Dr. Riek Machar,” the Government Spokesperson said.

Monday’s flight was the second UNMISS aircraft to carry SPLM/A-IO representatives to Juba, following the arrival, on 24 March, of a group of SPLM/A-IO senior police officers. Apart from UNMISS, the Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (JMEC) is also expected to assist in transporting the remaining forces from Malakal to the capital.

Calling Monday’s arrival of SPLM/A-IO forces an “important step”, the Vice Chairperson of JMEC, François Lounceny Fall, assured those present that JMEC will do its part.

“We can assure you that we are committed to working closely with the two parties to prepare the ground for the arrival of the First Vice President. It is our vision and our commitment,” Mr. Fall said.