Former Western Equatoria state Governor Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro has said security forces loyal to President Salva Kiir had no reason to detain him last week.

Bakosoro was held in an unidentified location in Juba for more than four days following President Kiir’s dismissal of him via a decree on state television. The former governor said in an interview with Radio Tamazuj he does not know why he was detained, but it should only have been done if money was reported missing from the state.

The ousted governor also criticized security personnel for detaining a manager of a Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) branch in Juba after he failed to produce his private bank statement.

In an interview with Radio Tamazuj, Bakasoro described the move as unlawful. He pointed out that this step should only have been done if there was money reported missing in the state.

When asked to comment on the recent peace agreement signed by the SPLM-IO and SPLM-FD factions and declined by Salva Kiir, the politician said the unilateral signing of peace deal will never bring about peace in South Sudan.

Bakosoro did welcome his dismissal from the governorship, describing the move as “normal change.” He said he is prepared to assist his successor.