Joseph Bangasi Bakosoro, former governor of Western Equatoria state, has appealed to President Salva Kiir to release all political prisoners. Bakosoro was released from National Security Services prison last night after over four months behind bars.
“I am ok. I am fine. I am not against any individual or person despite some detention which is normal but am healthy, I can reason well," Bakosoro said.
"I hope that everybody who had detained for political reason should be released and then begin a new life and new political dynamic in the country," he said.
“I would like to thank the President for releasing me yesterday because he is the one who order for my release and I thank him for that. I am also giving thanks to all those who contributed to my release, different organizations and bodies, churches for their prayers," he said.
The former governor said he is optimistic that the new government will be formed so that other detainees can be released and start a new life.
“I am appealing to all South Sudanese to rally behind the peace process so that the peace is implemented in order to heal the poverty that is now affecting the population," Bakosoro said.
“As a politician we don’t immediately count why we are arrested or go to the court. You can be arrested maybe because you talk about the government badly or you misbehave or because other differences in political understanding. I am being released and I am very patient and I will support the government in any form," said Bakosoro.
“People should work hard this time because South Sudan has suffered a lot economically, politically, security-wise and so on. We need a real change so that we can think about to the people as our main target in service delivery," he added.
Related:
Joseph Bakosoro freed from prison (27 Apr.)