Taban Deng, head of delegation of the armed opposition in South Sudan, says that the negotiators in Addis Ababa are discussing two agenda points, ceasefire and release of political detainees.
He claims that the 11 detainees were completely innocent and never attempted any coup as alleged by President Salva Kiir. He says that the detainees were watching television in their homes with their families when they were arrested, pointing out this is not what you would expect of coup plotters.
Kiir says that the 11 politicians detained in Juba last month were attempting a coup led by Riek Machar, the ousted vice president, who was thirsty for power and could not wait until elections to seize it. He also says the detainees cannot be released until legal investigations finish.
Excerpts of the interview (in Arabic) are posted at the link below.
Photo: Negotiator for the South Sudanese opposition Taban Deng Gai at a press conference in Addis Ababa, 7 January 2014 (Reuters)