Freed South Sudan detainees meet President Uhuru Kenyatta

President Uhuru Kenyatta speaks at State House in Nairobi Wednesday when he received seven freed detainees from South Sudan.  [PHOTO: PSCU]

By JAMES MBAKA

An end to the ethnic conflict in South Sudan, the world’s newest nation, was in sight Wednesday following a decision by President Salva Kiir to release seven of the 11 political detainees.

This was part of the conditions set by the Igad summit in Nairobi last month, which agreed that one principle of engagement with South Sudan would be the release of 11 political detainees by President Kiir.

After their release on Wednesday morning, the seven flew to Nairobi to meet President Uhuru Kenyatta.

They were accompanied by veteran South Sudan peace mediator General Lazaro Sumbeiywo, who was appointed by Igad to mediate the ongoing conflict.

And speaking at State House in Nairobi when he received the seven freed detainees, President Kenyatta commended Kiir for his compliance with the agreement.

“Some detainees still remain in custody. Igad will continue conversations about them with our brother Kiir,” Uhuru said.

He said the Igad would discuss how best to establish the urgently needed monitoring and verification mechanism provided for in the cessation of hostilities agreement signed on January 23.

Those who were released are Deng Alor Kuol, Geir Chuang, Dr Chris Hiteng, Kosti Manibe, General Madut Biar Yel, Chol Tong Mayay and John Luk.

The names of the four still in detention were not revealed.

Luk, who spoke on behalf of the released political detainees, said they harboured no bitterness, affirming that they recognise President Kiir.

The seven, who were detained on December 16, last year, were set free on Wednesday morning after what they said was “an intervention by President Uhuru”.

Detained politicians had allied with Riek Machar, the former vice president, in opposing what they describe as Kiir’s increasing “dictatorial” rule.

The conflict, began with a clash within the Presidential Guards of the South Sudanese army (SPLA) but spread fast to other parts of the country after senior military officers defected and led mutinies against the government in Jonglei and Unity state.

About 10,000 people are feared dead while thousands of others have been displaced after the conflict took ethnic lines.