South Sudan detainees return home

Five South Sudan political detainees who were hosted in Kenya have returned home.

The former detainees were received by South Sudan President Salva Kiir after spending at least 15 months in Kenya. They arrived in the capital Juba on Monday afternoon and are expected to know their new roles in the government soon, officials said.

The five were part of a group that had been in Kenya since February 2013 when President Kenyatta successfully negotiated their release with Kiir. Uhuru successfully convinced President Kiir to drop charges of treason against them.

In a meeting, Kiir expressed his joy to have most of his former ministers back. "I am happy to receive my comrades back and wish to sincerely thank Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta for hosting them all this time and for wholeheartedly supporting the peace effort, " said Kiir.

South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, Kenya's Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed, Ethiopia's Foreign Minister Tedros Adhanom and Tanzanian Chama Cha Mapinduzi Secretary-General Abdulrahman Kinana accompanied them to Juba State House.

The five, who travelled back home, included former ministers Deng Lor (cabinet affairs), Kosti Manibe (finance), Dr Majak D'Agoot (deputy defence), Cirino Hiteng (sports) and John Luk (justice).

Six others who remained in Nairobi are: former SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum, Ezekiel Gatkuoth, Gier Chuang, Rebecca Nyandeng, Madut Biar and Oyai Deng Ajak.

The latest peace effort for South Sudan is geared towards merging the two peace processes seeking to restore normalcy in the country.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development has sought to reconcile rebels under former Vice President Riek Machar, with the government. On the other hand, the Arusha process, sponsored by Africa National Congress of South African and CCM, seeks to reconcile splinter Sudanese Peoples Liberation Movement groups.

The move to take the former detainees back is in preparation to kick-starting the stalled peace process.