Dr. Lam Akol, member of South Sudan Opposition Alliance | File Photo

The leader of the main opposition political party, the SPLM-DC, says he will return home anytime from now, after the presidential decree granting him pardon.

On Monday, President Salva Kiir issued a Republican decree, granting pardon to Dr. Lam Akol Ajawin, who left South Sudan for Khartoum and later Cairo, Egypt, over security reasons.

Since the 2010 general election, the SPLM-DC, and more specifically its chairman Lam Akol, has been repeatedly linked with armed militia groups in Upper Nile state by the ruling SPLM and SPLA, an accusation he denied.

Shortly after South Sudan’s independence in July 2011, Dr. Lam held a reconciliation summit with Kiir in Nairobi and briefly returned to Juba.

President Kiir said by that pardon, Dr. Lam is free to return home.

“What’s important is that now the President has accepted that I go to South Sudan to practice my political right as a citizen, as a leader of a party, to help in the nation building,” Dr. Lam Akol told Eye Radio.

“I will come, but I don’t know yet at what time, but I am coming definitely, because this is my request I have asked to be given the opportunity.”

Dr. Lam Akol left the country last year to live in exile in Khartoum and later in Cairo.

He claimed that there was no guarantee for his security in Juba.

Lam welcomes release of ‘rebel leaders’

Dr. has also welcomed the presidential pardon granted to five rebel leaders.

On Monday, President Salva Kiir also issued a Republican Decree Number, granting pardon to individuals his government had accused of taking up arms against South Sudan, including Gabriel Tanginye and Peter Sule, amongst others.

“The release of military detainees will enhance unity and stability in the country,” he said.