By Yiep Joseph
Executive Director for Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) Edmund Yakani has called on the government to pardon Christo Thon Magordit, who is said to be currently under detention in Military Intelligence facility in Juba.
The activist’s call came after trending photos of Thon show him in a deteriorating health situation.
In a separate call, one of the close relatives who requested anonymity revealed that since 2023, Thon has been in detention.
Yakani called on the government and President Salva Kiir in particular, to forgive and release Thon, adding that reconciliation and forgiveness remain vital in case people conflict with the law.
“We may be in disputes; let us reconcile and forgive. This is a call from voice of voice to pardon Christo Thon Magordit and release him in order to rescue him from the deteriorating health situation,” Yakani said in a statement.
“I would like to urge the leadership of the country and of various capacities with due respect and honor and to pardon him,” he added.
He added that in case he has committed a crime, he needs to be taken to court and ensure he is also allowed to be treated as his health may be worsening.
“I would like to take this opportunity, yes, we may be in conflict with the law, which requires a competent court of law to undergo due legal processes for correcting us being in conflict with the law,” he said.
“I am appealing to you (President) on behalf of our brother General Christo Thon Magordit; yes, we are aware that he might have been in conflict, and if he mistakenly committed a crime, he should be pardoned,” he added.
He called on President Salva Kiir to intervene and ensure that Thon is released from prison and set free.
“We must respect humanity; we must respect the value of humans, but sometimes we commit a mistake,” he said.