Seven people detained by the South Sudanese authorities last month after being accused of plotting a coup against President Salva Kiir have been transferred to Kenya, President Uhuru Kenyatta said.
The seven arrived in Kenya today after the South Sudanese authorities recommended their release, Kenyatta told reporters today in the capital, Nairobi. Four politicians remain in custody in South Sudan, John Luk Jok, one of the people transferred to Kenya, said at the briefing.
“We agreed at the IGAD summit in Nairobi last month that one of the principles of engagement with South Sudan would be the release of these detainees,” Kenyatta said. “Today we act in line with that commitment.”
South Sudan’s government announced yesterday it plans to prosecute former Vice President Riek Machar and six other people, including Pagan Amum, the former secretary-general of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement, of being involved in a failed coup attempt against Kiir. The government had insufficient proof to prosecute at least 6 other politicians, Justice Minister Paulino Wanawilla Onango said at the briefing.
The attempted coup sparked violence that has killed thousands of people and forced at least 820,000 more to flee their homes, according to the United Nations. Clashes have continued even after the government and rebel forces signed a cease-fire agreement on Jan. 23.