Former Western Equatoria state governor Joseph Bangasi Bakosoro has been released from National Security Services prison after more than four months behind bars, according to a relative speaking to Radio Tamazuj.

The relative said Bakosoro was never charged with any crime. Bakosoro was arrested on 22 December 2015 after being summoned by NSS to their headquarters in Juba.

His family was allowed occasional visits and reported that his health was deteriorating. Amnesty International has said that Bakosoro was one of at least 35 political prisoners being held in South Sudan.

Edmund Yakani, executive director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization activist group, said the release demonstrates actualization of the swearing-in of former rebel leader Riek Machar yesterday as First Vice President under President Salva Kiir.

Machar and Kiir called for unity and reconciliation during the ceremony.

"CEPO hopes that this spirit should continue and the release of Bakosoro should act as a door opening for the release of the rest of the political detainees," Yakani said. "CEPO hopes that also the detained journalist George Livio should be free and the rest across the country."

Livio, a journalist for the United Nations radio service, was arrested in August 2014 in Wau and has been held in Juba since.

Bakosoro was briefly arrested but not charged in August 2015 as well, after President Salva Kiir fired him from his position as governor of Western Equatoria state.

Bakosoro won the 2010 gubernatorial elections in Western Equatoria, running as an independent candidate.

More to follow...

Related:

Rights groups call for release of political prisoners in South Sudan (27 Apr. 2016)

Bakosoro's family demands his release after three months in jail (22 Mar. 2016)

CEPO urges NSS to allow Governor Bakosoro family visits (2 Mar. 2016)

NSS denies Governor Bakosoro family visits (16 Feb. 2016)

Family of jailed ex-governor Bakosoro demands release, says his health deteriorating (2 Feb. 2016)

UN says National Security breaking South Sudan's own laws (24 Jan. 2016)

Still no investigation into Bakosoro after two weeks detention (8 Jan. 2016)

NSS accusing Bakosoro of links to Arrow Boys, family says (28 Dec. 2015)

South Sudan national security still holding Bakosoro over Christmas (25 Dec. 2015)

Bakosoro held for third day without access to lawyer: family (24 Dec. 2015)

Ex-Western Equatoria governor Bakosoro arrested (23 Dec. 2015)