Kalisto ‘unshaken’ and will continue ‘telling the truth’

JUBA – Freed former mayor of Juba City, Kalisto Lado, on Friday vowed to remain steadfast and continue speaking truth after his release from arbitrary detention by South Sudan’s National Security Service (NSS).

Kalisto, who had been detained arbitrarily for over five months after arrest in late March, was released on Friday following rumors that he had died in NSS jail. He made this remark during a welcoming prayer at his house.

“Firstly, anyone who doesn’t know that God exists must do now,” he stated. “Secondly, if you speak the truth, then the truth will set you free. Thirdly, I am not broken, in fact, I am still strong-willed as you know.”

The ex-mayor explained that he did not join politics for personal gain, adding that his profession can sustain him. His motives in joining politics were to serve the people in the right way.

“I did not join politics to feed my stomach, I joined because of our people. I am a lawyer and practicing my profession can put food on the table,” he noted.

“I became an SPLM member because I believe that through politics, we will speak the truth and do good things to our people,” he added.

The outspoken politician affirmed to the gathering that they were not seeing a “ghost” but the real, freed Kalisto. “Indeed, the person speaking to you now is not a ghost, this is the real Kalisto Lado,” he said.

He added, “Few days back, I had no idea that we would be gathering like this as it’s today, but God’s ways are not humans’ ways.”

Mr. Kalisto called on South Sudanese to be patriotic and let love outshine hatred.

“When God created the universe, he created us into tribes so that we accept, coexist, and love one another. This South Sudan can take us all, and for this nation to take us all, we have to spread love, let’s love one another,” he said.

Kalisto, who walked to freedom four days ago, confirmed that he is unwell and was undergoing medical check-ups to diagnose his ailment.