Dr. Lam Akol: On the pardon and possible return to South Sudan
2 min readDear All,I thank all who were concerned when they heard, watched on TV or read the Presidential decree on Monday”granting me pardon”. I was equally perplexed as you were.
The decree concerning me (No 17) is separate from that regarding those accused of armed rebellion, but all the same, granting me “pardon” as they and the announcement of the two decrees on TV at the same time sends confusing signals.
As you know, I was all this time unable to go to South Sudan because I had good reason to believe that my personal security was being threatened. When I spoke to the President and requested from him to facilitate my going to the country, I asked him only for “security guarantees”. How giving security guarantees has turned into granting pardon is not only mind-boggling but raises many questions; the least of which is what you all raised: what did I do to warrant a pardon?
Many on this forum have been previously discussing as to why I was not in South Sudan to play my role in national politics, and you know my position on that very well. Nothing is new.Politics is full of minefields, and what is important is to sail through. In any case, I am encouraged that the President has decided that I can go to the country any time from the 7th instant. I thank him for that, and I will surely go to our beloved country.
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