October 22nd 2018 (Nyamilepedia) – South Sudan’s main armed opposition group, the Sudan People Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) in Gbudue State has commenced the joint effort made by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the Government of South Sudan in releasing 24 detainees in line with the permanent ceasefire agreement signed in June this year.
South Sudan government announced last week the release of 24 detainees in Western Bahr Al-Ghazal state saying it shows how committed is the South Sudan government to the agreement signed last month by the parties.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the group’s leadership in Gbudue said they have welcomed the decision by the South Sudan government to release prisoners of war while commencing the efforts by ICRC in coordinating their release.
“The SPLM/A-IO leadership in Gbudue State is deeply encouraged by the joint efforts taken by regime and ICRC to have released of detainees in line with Chapter II Article 2.1.10.4 of the R-ARCSS peace agreement signed on 12/09/2018 in Addis Ababa Ethiopia,” William Adriano Baiki, SPLM-IO Deputy Governor for Gbudue State said in a statement seen by the Nyamilepedia.
The opposition faction confirmed that, the Government freed 24 detainees accused by the government of having links with the armed opposition group there as good gesture for peace with the help from the ICRC in accordance with the ongoing implementation of the peace agreement.
“On Friday 19/10/2018, the SPLM/A-IO in Western Equatoria region confirmed the released of 6 detainees from Gbudue State among 24 who were released from Juba by the regime and ICRC in accordance with the provision of the agreement. The 6 detainees were arrested on the accusations that they have links with SPLM/A-IO under Dr. Riek Machar in Gbudue State,” the statement added.
However, the main armed opposition group said it regrets decision by South Sudan government to keep in detention an SPLA-IO officer captured last week urging the government to release him as well saying it will threaten to jeopardize the ongoing peace process.
“However, I would like to express my dissatisfaction to the regime troops for detention of Brig Gen Alex John Gasi together with Regina Bendeto Bakosa on 14/10/2018 in Rimenze 18Miles along Yambio-Maridi road and argue the State government of Gbudue State for their immediate release as this will jeopardize our confidence building,” he said.
