South Africa welcomes South Sudan’s decision to release retired army colonel

The South African government on Thursday welcomed the decision by the South Sudanese government to release William Endley, an ex-colonel of the South African Defence Force (SADF).

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir announced the decision to release Endley on Wednesday as a gesture of peace during the National Peace Celebration, which took place in the capital city of Juba.

Endley was sentenced to death on February 12, 2018 for espionage and conspiring to overthrow the South Sudanese government.

Lindiwe Sisulu, South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, extended gratitude to Kiir for the decision to release Endley.

“We appeal to all South Africans who happen to get opportunities to work abroad to observe and respect the laws of the countries they serve,” said Sisulu.

Kirr announced on Wednesday that he would release Endley on Thursday and deport him back to South Africa.

Endley, an adviser for South Sudanese rebel leader Riek Machar, was accused of providing Machar with military support.

Endley has been imprisoned in South Sudan for more than two years.

South Sudan won independence from Sudan in 2011 but plunged into a civil war in 2013 after Kiir accused Machar, then the vice president, of plotting a coup against him.