A South Sudanese policy analyst has called on President Salva Kiir to pardon and release political detainees as a confidence-building step following the recent African Union summit in Addis Ababa.
Boboya James Edimond, Director of the Institute of Policy Research in South Sudan, told Radio Tamazuj that the regional engagement, including discussions involving the C5 group and IGAD, was a positive development but must be followed by concrete actions at home.
He urged the president, upon returning to the country, to take immediate steps to open political space and foster trust among rival actors.
“That state of national address should be followed by pardoning and ordering the release of political detainees in South Sudan, and then asking all those who have been detained and those who have been in hiding and out of prisons to quickly join an inclusive dialogue,” Edimond said.
According to the analyst, freeing detainees would help create conditions for broader political engagement and reconciliation, which he described as essential for moving the country’s transition forward.
He added that the proposed dialogue should bring together political actors, armed groups, and civil society to discuss key reforms and chart a path toward lasting peace.
“Without having some of those commitments of new constitution, voter registration, integration of the army, inclusive dialogue, and amending the electoral act, some of this process becomes more catastrophic in terms of delay for elections,” he warned.
South Sudan has faced repeated delays in implementing provisions of its peace roadmap, including security reforms and preparations for elections.
Observers say confidence-building measures — such as releasing detainees — are often seen as critical to reducing tensions and encouraging participation in political processes.
The government has not publicly responded to the latest call, but regional and international partners have continued to press leaders to accelerate reforms aimed at ending the transitional period and organizing credible elections.