Video: Riek Machar had pistol in our meeting, President Kiir reveals as he recounts gun battle ordeal
South Sudanese first vice president Riek Machar was carrying a gun when he was in a meeting with President Salva Kiir on the fateful day that fighting erupted at the country’s presidential residence in the capital, Juba, Kiir revealed.
President Kiir, in an exclusive state house tour he accorder to CCTV, said he was in a meeting with Machar and James Wani Igga when the gun battle erupted.
He said that he led his deputies to safety within the state house but realized that Machar had a pistol with him. He however revealed that he was not fearful for his life, rather, he feared for Machar’s life because his security detail were not friendly to him at that point.
The president said he kept warning his men to ensure they did not harm Machar.
Kiir also said that he shielded the former rebel leader when he was leaving the residence, and ordered his troops to escort him to safety.
He also said Machar later informed him that he had arrived safely, and has not seen him since then.
