by Denis Elamu
JUBA, June 30 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan on Friday dismissed any rift with its recently recalled diplomats from seven foreign missions, saying they are now responding to the foreign ministry order.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman Mawien Makol said the affected diplomats from Uganda, Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Germany and Britain will soon be replaced.
This came after media reports emerged that some of the recalled diplomats were delaying arrival to Juba demanding payment of outstanding salaries and also citing no ready replacements at the foreign missions.
"Nobody has refused to come. This is just rumors. It (recall) has to be respected by all," he told Xinhua in Juba.
"Their term has ended and they have to be replaced by others. It is not a punishment," he added.
Last year, the war-torn country threatened to close 32 of its foreign missions, downsize staff due to economic crunch amid the ongoing more than three years of violence.
