Prisoner Release: R-ARCSS
Implementations
Prisoner Release – 2018
R-ARCSS called for the immediate release of all prisoners of war to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
According to a 2016 list from the Joint Military Ceasefire Commission, the ICRC reported that there were 165 SPLA (SSDF) and 59 SPLM/A-IO prisoners of war (PoWs).[1] In October, President Kiir announced that all prisoners of war would be released, but there were no details on how that would be achieved. The JEMC reported that the SPLM/A-IO released four prisoners in Western Equatoria. The ICRC reported on October 19 that it had supervised the release of 24 PoWs and noted that it was “the first releases of prisoners supervised by the ICRC…following the signing of the latest peace agreement.”[2]
[1] “Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) fourth meeting,” Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, November 8, 2018.
[2] “South Sudan: ICRC facilitates release of 24 detainees,” International Committee of the Red Cross, October 19, 2018, https://www.icrc.org/en/document/south-sudan-icrc-facilitates-release-24-detainees.
Prisoner Release – 2019
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced on June 27th that it had facilitated the release of 15 detainees in South Sudan.[1] In August, the CTSAMVM reported the release of 2 SSOA officers detained by the SSPDF.[2] The SPLM/A-IO continued to claim that the government had not released all of its prisoners of war.
[1] “South Sudan: ICRC facilitates release of 15 detainees,” International Committee of the Red Cross, June 27, 2019, https://www.icrc.org/en/document/south-sudan-icrc-facilitates-release-15-detainees.
[2]“Ceasefire Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM) fourteenth meeting,” Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism, September 5, 2019.
Prisoner Release – 2020
It was reported that the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross) facilitated 23 people’s release, including 11 children held by the National Salvation Front (NAS).[1] President Kiir also pardoned and released 30 inmates. Among the list was a prominent South Sudanese activist Peter Biar Ajak, who was detained in September 2018.[2]
[1] “ICRC facilitates release of 23 people held by rebel group.” January 2, 2020.
[2] “Prominent South Sudan activist released from prison.” WTOP News, January 4, 2020.
Prisoner Release – 2021
No further information is available about prisoners and their release, except that the International Committee of the Red Cross of South Sudan organized a seminar with the National Prison Service.[1]
[1] ICRC Annual Report 2021. ICRC. https://www.icrc.org/en/document/annual-report-2021. 27 July 2022.
Prisoner Release – 2022
The bill amending the National Prison Service Act of 2011 was amended and approved by the President.[1] No further information is available except that dozens of teachers in Warrap State were arrested and imprisoned following a protest but were released after a court dismissed all charges against them.[2]
[1] RJMEC report 017/2023.
[2] South Sudan 2022. Amnesty International, https://www.amnesty.org/en/location/africa/east-africa-the-horn-and-great-lakes/south-sudan/report-south-sudan/
Prisoner Release – 2023
No further information is available. The bill amending the National Prison Service Act of 2011 was amended and approved by the president in 2022.[1]
[1] RJMEC report 017/2023.