The former governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, Kuel Aguer Kuel, arrived in Nairobi, Kenya, on Tuesday for the High-level Mediation Talks on South Sudan being arbitrated by the Kenyan government between the Government of South Sudan, hold-out opposition groups, and other stakeholders.
Aguer was arrested in July 2021 on treason charges after the People’s Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA), of which he is a member, called for a popular uprising. His case was dismissed by the Special High Court in Juba in December 2022.
He arrives in Nairobi as Head of the PCCA delegation which is participating in the Nairobi Peace Talks as a civil rights movement.
PCCA is a grouping of civil society groups that launched a public campaign in August 2021 to demand political change after turbulent and often bloody years characterized by conflicts and civil war shortly after independence.
Aguer was then arrested by the National Security Service (NSS) in the capital Juba for signing the the PCCA’s declaration.
Meanwhile, Edmund Yakani, a civil society representative at the talks, confirmed to this publication that Former Governor Aguer will be participating in the talks as the head of the PCCA delegation.
“This is a good reflection on the implementation of the signed declaration of commitment under the Nairobi Peace Talks (Tunmaini Initiative). Having Kuel Aguer Kuel here in Nairobi after his movement restriction was impressive and this is the political culture that we called for as a civil society,” he said. “Let us use dialogue for nurturing the development and growth of the state and nation of South Sudan. As a human rights defender who stood up and called on the government for the release of Kuel Aguer for several years, I am pleased to see him on the political peace mediation table.”
Yakani added: “I am impressed and I appreciate the government for positively responding to our advocacy.”
The renowned civil society activist said South Sudan can develop better through consultative and productive inclusive political dialogue.