Dr. Riek Machar has turned down President Salva Kiir’s invitation to visit Juba.

On Tuesday, the minister of information announced the invitation of President Salva Kiir to the Opposition leader Dr. to visit Juba to celebrate, with him, the signing of the peace accord.

The two principals and other stakeholders signed the deal on Wednesday last week.

Michael Makuei said the invitation was aimed at building trust and confidence ahead of the formation of the new transitional government.

“Actually Dr. Riek Machar is not coming to Juba in two days or two weeks. We heard about the information of the invitation through the media that President Salva Kiir invited Dr. Machar to come to Juba,” the SPLM/IO deputy head of the information committee, Manawa Peter Gatkuoth told Eye Radio via telephone.

He said that the leadership of IO “welcomed” the invitation but he will only go to Juba in accordance with the provisions spelled out in the peace deal.

“As you know the agreement is very clear that there will be a pre-transitional period of eight months before the leaders of oppositions go back to South Sudan,” added Mr Peter.

“After that maybe comrade Dr. Riek Machar will join his brother Salva Kiir.”

According to the peace agreement, Dr Riek Machar will officially move to Juba in May next year to assume his