Machar 'feels like a prisoner' after peace deal, says wife

The wife of South Sudan’s newly sworn-in First Vice-President, Riek Machar, says he feels "he is a prisoner".

Ms Angelina Teny, who is herself a former government minister, told the BBC that restrictions put in place by the regional body, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (Igad), on her husband’s travel within and outside South Sudan were still in place.

The restrictions were intended to stop the fighting and get Mr Machar to negotiate a peace deal. They also restrained him from speaking to the public or media .

Igad's Special Envoy for South Sudan Mr Ismail Wais said the restrictions elapsed when Mr Machar took up his new role in the new unity government on Saturday.

But Ms Teny said Mr Machar's group had not received official communication to that effect. She said they were concerned that he cannot fulfill his duties.

According to Ms Teny, her husband cannot freely travel around South Sudan and meet his supporters.

A spokesperson for President Salva Kiir however denied the claim, adding that Mr Machar should hold the public meetings with the president as a show of unity.