13 April 2014  South Sudan: Govt Free to Purchase Weapons Says
Army Spokesman  The spokesman for South Sudan's national army
says President Salva Kiir's government has no restrictions to
purchase weapons from its international partners to protect
lives and property as enshrined in the country's constitution.
Colonel Philip Aguer says the army will protect unarmed
civilians in the country's conflict to enable officials of the
government to continue with peace negotiations with the rebels
to resolve the crisis.  "The government is capable of
interacting with any political entity in the world including
Egypt. But the procurement is the business of the government so
wherever they get the weapons should not be an accusation," said
Aguer. "The government is capable of getting weapons from
anywhere. There [are] no restrictions on the government of South
Sudan on where to buy and where to get weapons."  His comments
came after rebels allied to former vice president Riek Machar
accused neighboring Egypt of providing