The US Secretary of State, John Kerry, says the peace agreement legally allows for the replacement of Dr Riek Machar as First Vice President.

Dr Machar left Juba last month after a deadly clash that started at the presidential guest house J1.

SPLM in Opposition leaders in Juba nominated Taban Deng Gai as his replacement and was appointed by President Salva Kiir as the new First Vice President.

Mr Kerry says the agreement provides for replacements, but it is now up to the peace partners and to decide what to do in the context of the implementation of the deal.

He spoke at a press conference in Nairobi after a meeting with regional foreign ministers yesterday.

“But I think it’s quite clear that legally, under the agreement there is allowance for the replacement and the transition of personnel and that has been effected with the appointment of the new Vice President,” Mr Kerry stated.

“What they decide to do is going to be dependent on them in context to the implementation of the peace agreement.”

Meanwhile, Mr Kerry has told Eye Radio that the United States is willing to support South Sudan in its economic recovery.

He says this can only happen when the Transitional Government of National Unity is committed to the full implementation of the peace agreement.

Mr. Kerry says the government should immediately initiate reforms as provided in the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan in order to attract funding from monetary institutions.