South Sudan rebel leader Riek Machar vows to return home

South Sudan’s former Vice President Riek Machar has vowed to return to the country, to negotiate a peace deal with President Salva Kiir.

Speaking to the BBC from South Africa where he is claimed to be receiving treatment, Machar said his credibility is intact.

He also denied claims that he is a warmonger and that his troops are simply defending themselves against government attacks.

The announcement comes a few days after fighting broke out in Malakal, between rival forces in the country, that killed dozens of people.

Machar fled the country in August following heavy fighting in Juba. He crossed the border into the Democratic Republic of Congo before heading to South Africa.

He claimed his life was in danger and that there was a “botched attempt to assasinate him.”

According to Machar, President Kiir doesn’t want democratic and transparent elections to be conducted, hence he restarted the war.

But Kiir’s forces have accused Machar’s forces of starting the attacks.