Civil society activist returns home after fleeing persecution
The former Chairperson for South Sudan Civil Society Alliance, Deng Athuai Mawiir Rehan has returned to Juba following President Salva Kiir’s general pardon and amnesty to all opposition.
“I have decided quickly to be first among those who will respond to the general pardon and amnesty declared by President Salva Kiir Mayardit, without hesitation, I took bold decision to join peace without conditions, peace without self-interest, peace with no return to square one,” Rehan said during press conference held at the SPLM Secretariat in Juba on Friday.
Rehan fled the country in February 2017 after he had complained of harassment by security operatives due to his criticism of President Kiir’s leadership.
“I have no enmity with government but people with egoistic interest misinterpreted my opinion on the political situation of our country in 2017, which has created misunderstanding between me and security organs,” he said.
President Salva Kiir in 2020 granted amnesty to leaders of the hold-out opposition groups and other critics after signing Cessation of Hostilities in Rome.
Kuol Atem Bol, the SPLM Secretary for Political Affairs while welcoming Rehan, said that the SPLM is ready to work with parties and individuals to achieve peace in the country.
“The SPLM objectives are clear and they are to some extent unique, SPLM addresses the need of different people, parties and individuals from national to grassroots level. We welcome you to come and contribute to peace building, we are asking our brothers and sisters who are still in the bush to come back to the country so that peace is complete and we go for election,” Bol said.
