The embassy of the United States and other European diplomats and representatives had earlier called on the authorities to release or produce Ladu before a competent and independent court of law to answer charges labeled against him.
The release, announced to the public on Friday, was attended by high-profile officials from South Sudan’s national legislative assembly, including the former national minister of interior, currently a national legislator, Alfred Lado Gore, a leading member of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) under president Salva Kiir.
Gore was at the epicenter of negotiation advocating the release of young politicians whose detention had polarized local politics, with some accusing some of the community leaders of having sided with the government at the expense of the social cohesion and harmony of the Bari-speaking community.
The former mayor was critical of how land in and around Juba, the capital of South Sudan was being acquired and disposed off.
Simon Waakhe Wudu, the spokesman Central Equatoria state governor confirmed the release of the ex-mayor.
“I can confirm that Kalisto has been released. The public can verify this information here. Whether he is at home or elsewhere. The most important thing right now is that Kalisto, the former mayor, has been released. this is the confirmed information that the public should know”, he remarked.
Wani Santino Jada, an advocate representing him from the Pan African Law Chambers, announced in a short statement that his client had been released.
Jada circulated a picture he took with his client after his release on Friday.
“I can confirm that he was released today at around 10 a.m., said Jada without giving additional comments.
The former mayor neither issued a statement nor spoke to journalists.
Last month, the Vice President for Economic Cluster, James Wani Igga revealed that the former mayor was facing criminal charges and would be arraigned in a competent court of law.
Many people have since expected he would be arraigned before the court.
The latest development, however, appears to have shelved legal procedures and the direction the government was thought to have taken.
(ST)