Juba (AFP) - A South Sudanese opposition leader who has spoken out against both sides in the civil war said Tuesday that he has been freed from a week of house arrest.
Lam Akol said his home in the capital Juba, which is under the control of the government loyal to President Salva Kiir, was surrounded by security personnel last week.
South Sudan's government denied placing any restrictions on Akol, although witnesses confirmed security forces and vehicles had been posted outside.
"I have been freed," Akol told AFP on Tuesday, saying security forces had told him they had been sent to provide him protection, but that he doubted that reason.
"I suspect that they -– the government -- may be unhappy about our stand on the current issues," Akol said.
South Sudan's civil war began in Juba in December 2013 and has since spread across the country. At least 50,000 people have been killed and more than a million forced from their homes.
Akol is the leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-Democratic Change (SPLM-DC) party, and has spoken out against both Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar.
Akol comes from Upper Nile State where ethnic rebels from his Shilluk people have fought government troops.
Experts say the government restrictions on him were likely linked to fears he played a role in the clashes.
Akol is a former warlord who fought on both sides during Sudan's 1983-2005 civil war, including alongside Machar.
Newer articles:
- South Sudan faulted on preventing aid workers leave base - 06/05/2015 03:31
- South Sudan Traders’ Union Chairperson Promises To Tackle Skyrocketing Prices Dilemma - 06/05/2015 03:29
- U.N. says apprehended Sudan intel officer after attack near Abyei - 05/05/2015 22:01
- South Sudan: United States Provides Support for Justice and Accountability - 05/05/2015 21:54
- South Sudan's 'Facebook' for missing people - 05/05/2015 17:24
Older news items
- South Sudan leaders putting country's future at 'grave risk', warns John Kerry - 05/05/2015 08:09
- South Sudan: Proposed Hybrid Court Not in the Interest of Peace - 05/05/2015 01:33
- Kerry says Kenya has role in resolving Somalia, South Sudan conflicts - 05/05/2015 01:29
- South Sudan Praised For Ratifying Convention On Child Rights - 04/05/2015 14:41
- Kerry endorses 'hybrid court' to try South Sudan crimes - 04/05/2015 12:10
Latest news items (all categories):
- Ramaphosa presses Kiir to implement peace deal ahead of South Sudan’s first elections - 09/10/2026 12:19
- South Sudan steps up Ebola alert after Kenya case - 09/10/2026 12:17
- Laotian man deported by U.S. to South Sudan leaves for Laos after year in detention - 09/10/2026 12:14
- Bullet and blast injuries … and a constant need for blood: inside South Sudan’s overwhelmed trauma wards - 09/10/2026 12:10
- MTN South Sudan and Regulator Pledge Cooperation to Expand Connectivity - 09/10/2026 12:01
Random articles (all categories):
- China and the Middle East are pouring money into strategic Sudan, but US policy is 'confused' - 18/06/2018 21:57
- Russia and Angola Delay UN South Sudan Sanctions - 16/09/2015 00:13
- The Death of a County in Upper Nile State - 29/03/2012 14:41
- South Sudan a year on: the UN may be critical but the people remain hopeful - The Guardian - 08/07/2012 15:23
- Senior US diplomat to travel to Addis Ababa to discuss Sudan conflict - 10/07/2023 02:53
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 150854 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 28209 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 25316 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 24543 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 22506 times
