Juba (AFP) - South Sudan's controversial opposition leader Lam Akol returned home for first time in two years Saturday, after a presidential pardon cleared him of allegations of encouraging armed rebels.
Akol was a former warlord who fought on both sides during Sudan's 1983-2005 civil war, and the biggest critic of South Sudan's President Salva Kiir since splitting from the ruling party in 2009.
"I am extremely happy to be in South Sudan," Akol told reporters as he arrived in the airport from the capital Juba.
"This is the time for the people of South Sudan to come together and hold together."
Akol, who challenged Kiir in 2010 elections and heads the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-Democratic Change (SPLM-DC) party, was accused of backing a rebellion with troops armed by Khartoum, claims both Akol and Sudan have always denied.
Khartoum and Juba have traded accusations each is backing rebels on the other country's territory.
Since leaving South Sudan in November 2011, Akol spent much of his time in exile in Khartoum.
The presidential pardon last month -- which also included other political rivals and rebel commanders -- was seen as a way to trying to bolster political support and settle long running disputes that originated during the war decades ago.
It also follows a complete reshuffle of government, including the sacking of the powerful former vice-president, Riek Machar.
- Politics & Government
- Elections
- South Sudan
- Lam Akol
- presidential pardon
Source http://news.yahoo.com/south-sudan-opposition-leader-returns-exile-154401049.html
Newer articles:
- South Sudan's oldest elder dies at 119 - 05/11/2013 06:38
- Flooding Cuts Off Road Linking S. Sudan, Uganda - 04/11/2013 23:11
- Thousands of South Sudanese head home from Sudan - 04/11/2013 20:36
- Abyei wants to join South Sudan - 04/11/2013 13:04
- 2,500 South Sudan Citizens Leave Sudan's White Nile State Their New Country - 04/11/2013 07:07
Older news items
- South Sudan: South Sudan Fights to Implement Rule of Law - 02/11/2013 14:46
- South Sudan Fights to Implement Rule of Law - 01/11/2013 22:00
- Abyei residents choose South Sudan - 31/10/2013 18:46
- Thousands in contested Abyei vote to join South Sudan, risking tensions - 31/10/2013 15:32
- In unofficial vote, residents of contested Abyei region vote to join South Sudan - 31/10/2013 13:36
Latest news items (all categories):
- The Collo Kingdom Remains Underdeveloped: Five Hundred Years Later! - 03/02/2025 12:57
- Attack on South Sudan cattle camps kills 35 - 03/02/2025 12:46
- في صفقة مثيرة.. الإمارات تشتري نفط الجنوب في باطن الأرض لمدة 20 عامًا - 03/02/2025 12:42
- South Sudan: Can oil production save the economy? - 30/01/2025 19:27
- 20 oil workers and crew die in South Sudan plane crash - 30/01/2025 19:20
Random articles (all categories):
- South Sudan Bread Prices Rise as Loaves Shrink - 08/04/2015 10:56
- S.Sudan warns of war without 'comprehensive' deal - 02/02/2012 17:28
- WHO launches new initiative to stop invasive malaria vector in Africa - 30/09/2022 02:45
- Measles vaccination drive underway in Bentiu - 23/11/2022 01:15
- Consultancy Assignment, Organisation Development Consultant, UNICEF Lesotho - 06/07/2015 17:04
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 67628 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 22359 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 21558 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 19204 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 19196 times