Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, a member of the SPLM ‘group of four,’ says the situation in South Sudan’s capital since the crisis started is radically altered, both politically and economically.

The former official, who was detained from December until April, opposes the ruling government in South Sudan, but has not voiced support for armed struggle.

“Juba is not the place it used to be. It was booming. People were making money,” says Gatkuoth, who used to serve as South Sudan’s envoy to the United States. 

“Businesses are collapsing and investors are not coming back for fear that fighting could break out any time.”

He was speaking in an interview with Nairobi-based newspaper Daily Nation.

The paper reported Tuesday that the G4 politician stressed ‘over ten times’ during the interview that “it is not business as usual in South Sudan.”

He explained, “Peace is the only option we have and that is why they [the government and rebels] signed the May 9 agreement in Addis. If [President] Kiir is not committed to it, he has to be made to honour to the agreement.”

The politician blamed Kiir’s government for “lack of tolerance and visionary leadership” leading to the crisis.

Gatkuoth and the other three members of the SPLM group of politicians are staying under protection of the Kenyan government at the Windsor Park Villas in Nairobi.

File photo: Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth speaks in his own defense at a treason trial in Juba

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Ezekiel Lol: I did not try to overthrow government, but sought its protection (23 April)