Peter Makuoth Malual, Minister of Information in South Sudan’s Southern Liech State said that are negotiating with the SPLM-IO rebels to release the detained commissioner of Panyijiar and his chartered plane.

Rebels allied to former First Vice President Riek Machar on Tuesday announced that thay detained the government-appointed commissioner of Panyijiar County Peter Gatkoi after his chartered plane landed in thier area in Ganyliel. They said that a Tanzanian plane carrying the commissioner and three security guards landed at Ganyliel airstrip.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, Minister Makuoth said that their commissioner is still being held by the SPLM-IO rebels, saying they talked to several opposition officials to release the detained commissioner.

"Yes, we have contacts with them to release the plane and the commissioner, but the opposition has not yet responded, they have not yet agreed on the matter," he said.

"They have not informed us about what they want, they did not tell us whether they need money or exchange for someone, so they have not yet asked about that, they promised to release the plane , but we are still working on it," he added.