SPLM-IO leader Rieck Machar ‘ready' for Vatican retreat

The opposition SPLM/SPLA-IO has confirmed that their leader Dr. Riek Machar has received an invitation for a spiritual retreat in The Vatican. 
The retreat scheduled for 11- 12 April was called by Pope Francis as an initiative by the Catholic Church to bring an end to years of conflict and suffering in South Sudan.

Sessions will include prayers, reflections and meditation to be overseen by The Pope and The Archbishop of the Church of Canterbury, Justin Portal Welby amongst a host of other religious leaders.

President Salva Kiir and Rieck Machar are expected to spend time in informal interactions, spiritual conversations and breaking bread together as they share communal meals.

By the end of the retreat, it is hoped that both leaders would have ironed out any wrinkles and would have been renewed spiritually to lead the country to peace.

Riek Machar’s spokesperson, Pouk Both Baluang confirms the SPLM-IO leader has received the invitation and is awaiting clearance to travel from Khartoum. 

Pouk Both Baluang spoke to Sworo Charles Elisha in this interview.