Machar replaced

Kiir

Machar South Sudan’s president on Tuesday replaced his deputy and opposition leader Riek Machar, who fled into hiding this month amid renewed clashes with government forces. The move threatens an already fragile peace deal in a country ravaged by civil war.

President Salva Kiir installed a new first vice-president, Taban Deng Gai, who had been mining minister in a coalition government formed in April.

The appointment raises fears of more fighting because most opposition generals and militia remain loyal to Machar.

A faction of the armed opposition on Saturday selected Taban to replace Machar, claiming that the coalition government could not function with Machar in hiding.

“The circumstances forced us to fill a vacancy so that we save our nation,” Taban said in a speech following the swearing-in ceremony.

But loyalists to Machar are alleging a conspiracy to remove him. Nyarji Roman, a spokesman for Machar’s faction, called the appointment of Taban “totally illegal.”

Kiir, who had invited Machar to return to the capital, Juba, on Tuesday denied having a role in his ouster.

“Circles will take it that it is me in person ... who has really conspired for the removal of Dr Riek Machar. It is not me,” Kiir said after the ceremony. (AP)