Former Political Detainees Reaffirm Support for Kiir, Urge Youth to Defend Peace

By Jenifer James

The Former Political Detainees (FPDs) have reaffirmed their support for President Salva Kiir Mayardit, calling on all South Sudanese, especially the youth, to remain committed to peace and the implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement as the country prepares for elections.

Speaking to reporters in Parliament on Monday, Isaiah Hakim Garang, who represents the FPDs on the High-Level Committee for peace agreement implementation, stated that the group remains dedicated to the Revitalized Peace Agreement and its role within the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).

“As former political detainees, we are one of the signatories to the agreement,” Garang said, emphasizing the group’s full return to the SPLM and its commitment to implementing the peace agreement.

Garang noted that the FPDs have representatives in the government, parliament, and state administrations as part of the power-sharing arrangements outlined in the peace agreement.

He clarified that the group’s political stance is to operate within the SPLM and support its leadership, rather than pursuing actions that could undermine the party or destabilize the country.

“The doctrine of our party, SPLM, cannot allow us to attack our chairman of the SPLM or to do things against our party. Negative things, agitation, is not allowed,” he stated.

Garang urged young people to shun political violence and reject calls to take up arms, stressing that the country needs stability to progress toward elections.

“We are urging and asking our youth not to follow leaders who want to destroy our country,” he said.

While acknowledging citizens’ constitutional right to demonstrate, Garang emphasized that political activities should be conducted peacefully and within the law.

“Based on the Constitution of South Sudan, everyone has the right to demonstrate through process. This is the right of South Sudanese,” he said.

“But to mobilize and to incite the young people to go out for personal, individual benefit, we are not for that.”

Garang called on South Sudanese to allow citizens to choose their leaders through elections.

“Let us give chance to South Sudanese to choose their leaders because we came based on the agreement,” he said.

Garang also extended condolences to the family, colleagues, and communities of the late Hon. Kosti Manibe. He explained that the FPDs delayed their public response to recent political remarks due to mourning their colleague.

“We were mourning our colleague, Honorable Kosti Manibe, and we gave chance to the family to mourn their dearly one. That is why we did not respond immediately,” he said.

He further thanked President Kiir for facilitating the return of late Kosti Manibe’s body to South Sudan for burial in his home area.

“If the President did not give us the green light and his support, we could not make that,” Garang concluded.

The FPDs affirmed their continued support for the implementation of the peace agreement and the country’s anticipated electoral process.