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 power struggles among South Sudan’s political leaders are the direct cause of its ongoing conflict - 11/07/2026 14:03
- Celebrating Independence In The Midst Of Sorrow - 11/07/2026 13:41
- South Sudan resumes oil-backed financing - 11/07/2026 13:33
- Press statement: Strive For National Unity In Honor Of South Sudan's Independence - 10/07/2026 21:23
- Fifteen years of independence for South Sudan, but still little to celebrate - 10/07/2026 21:23
Random articles (all categories):
- Vacancies Announcement - Ministry of Electricity, Dam, Irrigation & Water Resources (MEDIWR) - 25/05/2015 13:34
- People eating leaves to survive in South Sudan as aid fails to keep pace with spiralling hunger crisis - 02/12/2022 11:17
- “May be another day”: Gloom as Attempts by South Sudanese Youths Seeking Visas for Jubilee in Rome Thwarted - 25/07/2025 13:20
- South Sudan’s ruling SPLM dissolves entire party structures - 17/10/2015 01:22
- UK Statement at the 58th Human Rights Council for the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the report of the Commission of Human Rights in South Sudan - 01/03/2025 21:56
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 147758 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 27841 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 24931 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 24251 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 22161 times
