Kuel Aguer joins Nairobi peace talks as head of PCCA

NAIROBI – Former Northern Bahr el Ghazal state governor and civil rights activist Kuel Aguer Kuel has joined peace talks in Nairobi between the South Sudan government and non-signatory opposition groups to the revitalized peace agreement.

Civil society activist Edmund Yakani, who is also in Nairobi, confirmed to Sudans Post that Aguer flew into Nairobi and joined the talks as head of the People’s Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA) delegation.

“I would like to take this opportunity to confirm to the citizens that the former governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Kuel Aguer Kuel, who is the head of the delegation for PCCA, has arrived safely in Nairobi from Juba and has joined the mediation table,” Yakani told Sudans Post.

He commended the government for implementing outcomes of the Nairobi peace process.

“This is part of the commitment of the declaration that asks for widening the civic space and release of detainees. This is a very positive development and confirms that the government is committed,” he added.

Yakani further called on the president to extend his clemency and release former Juba city mayor Kalisto Lado, activist Mabior Morris and Ajak Peter.

“I am appealing to His Excellency the president that the same spirit that led Kuel Aguer to leave Juba and join peace talks in Nairobi should be extended towards the release of the former mayor of Juba, Kalisto Lado, Mabior Morris and Ajak Peter,” he said.

Yakani, who is optimistic about the Nairobi peace process, urged the public not to listen to propaganda, adding that “the Nairobi peace process is going in the right direction.”

“Let’s pray and let us support the Nairobi peace processes because they offer us an opportunity of seeking a successful political transition from violence to peace through the implementation of peace outcomes,” he said.

Negotiations are expected to focus on thematic areas including political governance, security arrangements, economic and social issues, justice, and the constitutional making process, Yakani said.

“These are the thematic areas that we are starting proper negotiation of today,” he added.

Aguer was arrested and charged in 2021 with attempting to overthrow the government.

The former governor, who is linked to the People’s Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA), was in custody for 17 months.

He was accused of being linked to the outlawed group after he allegedly signed a declaration calling for regime change.

The South Sudanese politician signed the PCCA declaration as a representative of the South Sudan intellectuals’ group.

The other signatories were civil society activist Rajab Mohandis and Abraham Awolich, a renowned researcher, both of whom fled the country.

Acquitted of the charges, Aguer has vowed to continue his “criticism” of the government.