Par Kuol, a senior official of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO), told the media via telephone that Machar “is not allowed to move beyond Khartoum until the formation of a unity government in May”.
The authorities in Sudan could not be reached to verify Kuol’s claim.
According to Kuol, after the formation of a unity government, Machar will be declared free in an extraordinary summit of heads of state and government of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
When asked by the journalists to confirm Machar’s detention in Sudan, Kuol who is the chairperson of the SPLM-IO’s National Committee for Foreign Relations, maintained that their leader is under house arrest in Khartoum.
“It is true! I refer you to the IGAD resolution that Riek Machar’s final status will be determined in an extraordinary summit” he added.
Machar who was under house arrest in South Africa was partially released in May 2018 to allow him to participate in the peace process.