South Sudan’s Kiir authorised to release political detainees: Telar

January 27, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – South Sudan’s constitution authorises president Salva Kiir to release political detainees, said presidential legal adviser Telar Deng in a statement from the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, where he is has been for the past two days.

Deng met with Sudanese president Omer al-Bashir on Sunday and handed him a message from his South Sudanese counterpart on the implementation of the signed agreements, according to the official news agency SUNA.

On Monday he also met with the speaker of the National Assembly al-Fatih Izzaledin to thank the Sudanese parliament for sending a delegation to support the South Sudan during the current conflict.

Following his meeting with Izzaldein, Telar reaffirmed that president Salva Kiir can order to release the political detainees but stressed that such measure should be done through legal measures.

“It is necessary to implement the law first,” said Telar adding “because it is the same law and the constitution which enable the president to order their release and to pardon them” he emphasised.

In a separate deal on the political detainees, the two sides agreed that they have a role to play in the political process which is expected to start on 7 February. However there is no mention about their release..

The presidential adviser said the security situation is improving in the country, pointing out that it is through dialogue not violence a settlement to the current crisis can be reached.

He also reaffirmed the commitment of the South Sudanese government to the cessation of hostilities agreement signed on 23 January in Addis Ababa, and called on the rebels to observe it.

Asked about the oil production, Telar said security situation hampers its production in some areas, stressing that the impact of war however it not too big.

(ST)