Civil society leader urges government to release Kalisto or take him to court

JUBA – South Sudan civil society leader Edmund Yakani is urging the transitional government to either release detained former Juba City Mayor Kalisto Lado, arrested in March by the National Security Service (NSS), or bring him to trial.

In a statement to Sudans Post, Yakani who is the executive director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), said Kalisto should be allowed a fair trial if the government believes he has broken the law, or otherwise be released immediately.

“CEPO is urging the country’s political leadership to listen to the plea of former Mayor Kalisto’s wife on the fate of her husband. If Kalisto conflicts with the law, it should be allowed to face fair trial in the competent Court of law,” Yakani said in the statement. “It is good for the image of the country and the leadership to making rule of law and respect for human rights, vibrant than unlawful acts,” he added.

The civil society leader says South Sudan’s recent signing of the UN’s International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights means cases such as Kalisto’s detention should be handled in accordance with the law. He should be released immediately or face trial.

“Observing the standards of the recently signed United Nation on civil and political rights with the case study of Kalisto Ladu situation will be good and it demonstrates progressive respect of human rights and rule of law. The former mayor should be released or taken to face court of law in legal due process manner,” he said.

“With respect and honor, we are urging H.E. President to forgive former mayor Kalisto even if he conflicts with the law. The wife of the former mayor is pleading for the release of her husband. As the country is expecting looming elections, it is better to observe all political rights for political actors,” he added.

He said, “It is good for the image of the country to exercise all standards of human rights and rule of law as enshrined in the Bill of Rights in our constitution and the United Nations human rights treaties that country is a state party to.”

“The continuous lack of former mayor family access to him makes rumors generate a lot of fake news, and that is further fueled by government silence on the fate of Kalisto safety and security. It is of great benefit to political leadership to allow his family to have access to him in order to clear rumors or fake news,” he stressed.

Yakani further urged President Salva Kiir “to act on the voice of former Kalisto wife appeal for access to him. This is a great sign of forgiveness and demonstration of reconciliation.”