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KHARTOUM - 5 Oct 2018

SPLM-IO says not officially informed about freed detainees in Juba

South Sudan opposition leader Riek Machar attends the signing in Khartoum, June 27, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/File Photo
South Sudan opposition leader Riek Machar attends the signing in Khartoum, June 27, 2018. REUTERS/Mohamed Nureldin Abdallah/File Photo

The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In-Opposition (SPLM-IO) said it had not been formally notified of the reported release of political detainees in Juba.

On Wednesday, the Internal Security Bureau announced that 20 political prisoners were set free as part of the presidential amnesty in line with the revitalized peace deal.

The security service said the freed political detainees were arrested in connection with rebellious activities against the government, without revealing the exact identities of the released individuals.

“The SPLM-IO has not been informed by the ICRC about the alleged release of 20 political detainees in Juba,” Puok Both Baluang, the SPLM-IO's director for information told Radio Tamazuj on Friday.

Puok pointed out that SPLM-IO members were not among the 20 detainees who were reportedly released in Juba. “The agreement says the release of all prisoners of war and detainees should be under the supervision of the ICRC,” he said.

The opposition official promised that they will soon release four prisoners of war as part of the implementation of the peace deal.” The four prisoners of war will be released under the supervision of the Red Cross,” he said.

Puok urged the government to release all prisoners of war and detainees.

Last week, President Salva Kiir ordered the release of all prisoners of war and detainees as part of the signed peace accord.

Kiir directed the army to release the prisoners of war and detainees under the supervision of the Red Cross (ICRC).