JUBA: South Sudan yesterday announced it was dropping charges against four alleged top rebels on trial for attempting to overthrow the government, saying it was a gesture aimed at ending a four-month-old civil war.
The continued detention of the four has been a major sticking point in peace talks, and the gesture comes as the leaders on both sides of the conflict face the threat of UN sanctions amid worsening violence and atrocities.
The four alleged rebels were arrested in Juba after fighting broke out between members of the presidential guard. The fighting rapidly escalated into all-out war between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and defectors and ethnic militia loyal to Machar.
Kiir accused Machar and his allies of attempting a coup, and initially 11 of his loyalists were put on trial. Machar denied the allegation, and in turn has branded Kiir a “genocidal leader” who started the war by carrying out a purge.
Seven of the original 11 detainees were freed in January as part of a regional peace effort.
AFP
