JUBA: South Sudan charged four high-profile prisoners with treason yesterday, dashing rebel hopes that they would be released ahead of peace talks planned in Ethiopia this month.
Rebels led by former vice president Riek Machar have demanded a pardon for the four politicians, all former members of the ruling SPLM party, before the peace talks resume.
The accused men were charged with nine offences, including spreading false information and inciting violence. They have previously denied plotting a military coup and their legal representative said they would also deny all the charges.
The four include Pagan Amum, former secretary general of the SPLM, former national security minister Oyai Deng Ajak and former deputy finance minister Majak D’Agoot. Ezekiel Gatkuoth, ex-ambassador to the United States, was also charged.
The four in the dock were among 11 well-known political figures arrested days after fighting broke out and accused of plotting to overthrow President Salva Kiir’s government. The other seven were sent to Kenya after Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta offered to mediate talks between the rebels and Kiir.
Reuters
