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):
- South Sudan can leverage China’s AI path to bridge the digital divide - 16/09/2026 16:04
- Credible Elections Are No Longer Possible in South Sudan - What Next? - 16/09/2026 15:59
- South Sudan's president replaces electoral chief three months before scheduled polls - 16/09/2026 15:56
- Turkish Airlines is pulling out of 5 African routes, including South Sudan - 16/09/2026 15:23
- ‘Super El Niño’ deepens hunger crisis in South Sudan – WFP - 16/09/2026 15:19
Random articles (all categories):
- From Juba to Ramciel: Questions of Why and How? - 06/10/2011 06:30
- Sudan says it chased out South Sudan's army - WRGB - 20/04/2012 16:24
- Strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training in South Sudan - 08/12/2021 04:00
- Unflagged and Unflagging - TIME - 02/08/2012 06:17
- New spate of violence threatens peace process in South Sudan - 19/07/2022 09:00
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 149624 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 28116 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 25198 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 24466 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 22416 times
