September 27th 2018 (Nyamilepedia) – South Sudan President, Salva Kiir Mayardiit has ordered the release of “all” prisoners of war under the custody of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), South Sudan’s army.
The order was disseminated through the state owned South Sudan Broadcasting Corporations (SSBC). The order however did not give number of the prisoners of war under the custody of the SPLA.
There is currently a good number of prisoners of war under the custody and guide of the SPLA compared to the ones hinder the SPLA-IO led by former First Vice President, Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon.
South Sudan President, Salva Kiir Mayardiit and opposition leader Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon signed in June this year a permanent ceasefire agreement which provides for the release of the prisoners of war.
Early this month, the long awaited revitalized peace agreement known as (R-ARCSS) was signed in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa by Kiir and Machar along with other leaders of armed and non-armed opposition groups.
Kiir’s order for the release of the prisoners of war is in line with the ceasefire agreement which directs for the release of the prisoners of war and political detainees.
The release, according to the order, also should includes the release of political detainees who have remained under the custody of the government.