Four politicians whom South Sudanese President Salva Kiir accused of plotting a coup d'etat have been freed by a court in Juba after prosecutors dropped treason charges against them. 

“The government has noticed that the court is going to prove that we are not guilty, that is why they have taken the decision to withdraw the case. They withdrew the case and we know that we are not guilty of what they called a coup,” said ex-SPLM Secretary-General Pagan Amum after being freed.  

On Friday, speaking to press shortly after their release, Pagan said the withdrawal of the case in court by the government means their justice was denied, suggesting he would have preferred for the court itself to issue a 'not guilty' verdict. He expressed his appreciation for the people of South Sudan who are for peace, standing with them during their detainees.

“Now that we are free, we are going to dedicate our time to work hard for peace and engage between both the Government and SPLM/A-in-Opposition to end this senseless war that kills our people in our country,” said Pagan Amum.

For his part, the defense lawyer Monyluak Alor said the release of the detainees will help bring peace and reconciliation to the country as soon as possible.  

South Sudan’s justice minister yesterday in a press conference announced the treason charges against the four political prisoners were dropped on the directive of the president.