Addis Ababa, January 31, 2014 (SSNA) — The government of South Sudan said it will release the remaining four detainees.The latest move by Juba to free the last detainees is likely to boost the peace talks expected to begin next week in Ethiopia.
The development comes just days after South Sudan announced it will prosecute the remaining four prisoners.
The key SPLM leaders still in custody are: Majak D’Agoot, Pagan Amum, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, and Oyai Deng Ajak.
African Union (AU) diplomatic source in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, told the South Sudan News Agency that Juba through its foreign minister Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin agreed to release the remaining four political prisoners.
“We expect South Sudan to release all the detainees”, the source who prefers anonymity said.
“There is too much pressure on Juba…I think it [government] starts to realize that what the world wants to see in South Sudan is different from what it wants”, the source added.
Earlier this week, the United States and African Union, among others players, join forces, calling for the release of the remaining four political prisoners that are still being held by the South Sudanese authorities.
The source went in details saying all eleven political detainees are expected to participate in peace talks due to begin on the 7th of February 2014.
South Sudan’s rebels, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) – In Opposition, demand the removal of Uganda’s troops from South Sudan and the release of all political prisoners before peace talks start.
It is still unclear whether or not the South Sudanese government will let go of the Ugandan soldiers.
The diplomat also said that the detainees will be released at any time before the peace talks begin.