South Sudan celebrates prisoner release

A South Sudanese military spokesman has expressed thanks for a Sudanese prisoner release announced yesterday. Spokesman Philip Aguire told Arabstoday the move would be “welcomed and appreciated.” “This is the first time Sudan’s military has respected the rules of international law,” Aguire said, adding that his government had released a number of Sudanese soldiers throughout the conflict, including 30 soldiers last year, mediated by the International Red Cross. “South Sudan’s army respects international law and respects the rights of prisoners of war,” he claimed. Referring to a recent Sudanese request to free military official Talfon Kuku, Aguire claimed that only the country’s judiciary had the only authority to make these decisions.