Coup Suspects Can Only Be Released In Accordance With Law: Kiir
South Sudan President Salva Kiir has said that his government can only release the political detainees in accordance with the country’s law.
South Sudan's President Salva Kiir gestures during a news conference in Juba December 18, 2013. [Reuters/Goran Tomasevic]
By Waakhe Simon Wudu
JUBA, 07 January 2014 [Gurtong] - The government is currently detaining 11 suspects for their role in masterminding a coup attempt on 15 December, 2013.
Kiir told press after a closed-door meeting with his counterpart, Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al Bashir who visited him on Monday for talks over the spilling crisis in the country.
“We still remain committed to that principle [unconditional peace talks],” Kiir told press at his Presidential Palace, J-One.
“If it is a matter of releasing people[11 political detainees], the legal procedures [law of South Sudan] have to be followed. If that thing is not adhered to by the mediators then they will not find a solution,” Kiir said.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) is currently brokering a peace talks between South Sudan government delegation and rebels loyal to Riek Machar in the Ethiopian Capital, Addis Ababa.
On Sunday, U.S Secretary of State John Kerry has supported direct peace talks between the South Sudan government and the rebels, cautioning against any use of force to try to gain the upper hand.
On Saturday, the U.S. State Department had urged the South Sudanese government to uphold its commitments and release political detainees immediately.