The Office of President on Wednesday released the declassified information on the root cause of the 2013 and 2016 conflicts.

The report that has implicated former detainees, SPLM- IO leaders, and senior military officers among many others is now available on the official Facebook Page of the Office of the President.

In a press conference in Juba on Monday, President Salva Kiir directed the National Security Service and its partners to make public classified information on the root cause of the 2013 and 2016 conflict.

Kiir said for the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement to be genuine, transparency into the root cause of 2013 and 2016 was needed.

The report has stood by its claim that an attempted coup by Riek Machar and other politicians was the cause of the 2013 and 2016 conflicts despite the African Union finding no evidence for this narrative.

The AU Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan said in its report released in October 2014: “From all the information available to the Commission, the evidence does not point to a coup.”

The Commission further said the war started with a fight between members of the presidential guard in Juba on 15 December 2013.

However, the report released by the Office of the President stated that it was publicly released from South Sudan phone intercept communications and evidence obtained by an Investigation Commission formed by Presidential Decree1 in 2014 to conduct a criminal investigation against twelve suspects.

It says the suspects are alleged to have taken part in an attempted coup on 15 December 2013.

According to the report, that attempted coup precipitated the conflict that followed from that date into 2014 and beyond.

The sources reviewed, establish the truth behind the violence that broke out in South Sudan, not only on 15 December 2013 but also a further attempted coup on 8 July 2016 that continued the conflict.

The suspects named in the summary of the Case Diary prepared by Jackson Elia Hariha are Dr Riek Machar, Taban Deng Gai, Pagan Amum Okech, Dr. Majak De Agot, Gier Chuang Aluong.

Others are Kosti Manibe, James Luk, Madut Biar, Ezekiel Lol, Dr. Cirino Hetang, Alfred Ladu Gore and Dr. Peter Adwok.

According to the report, transcripts from January 2014 show Taban Deng Gai and Riek Machar continuing to arm and mobilize militia in their attempts to overthrow the government of President Kiir.

Importantly, these intercepts evidence coordination with contacts in Sudan to obtain military supplies.

Intercepts for 16 January 2014 show conversations between Maj. Gen. James Koang Chuol and Dr. Lony in Khartoum coordinating the weapons supply with Maj. Gen. Michael Chiengjiek.

On 20 January 2014, Riek Machar is also recorded having conversations with Sergeant Matek based in the Kuek border post about permitting military vehicles through, a later call between the two reveals the police refusing crossing and a shoot-out ensues.

In January 2014, an Investigation Commission was formed by Presidential Decree pursuant to Ministerial Order from the Minister of Justice to conduct a criminal investigation against twelve named suspects alleged to have taken part in the attempted coup on 15th December 2013.

Five individuals in respect of whom arrest warrants were issued could not be located.

These were Riek Machar; Alfred Ladu Gore; John Malual Biel; Taban Deng Gai and Brigadier General Peter Lim Bol Badeng.

Evidence obtained by the Commission provides insight into how the coup attempt in 2013 was planned, including information about the role of Brigadier Peter Lim Bol Badeng, Colonel John Malual Biel, the personal bodyguard of Riek Machar, Lt Colonel Ruei Nyochom and Riek Machar himself.

On December 16, 2013, the signal unit of internal security intercepted Deng Alor requesting Majak De Agot to convince Hilde Johnson to take South Sudan to a similar level as Democratic Republic of Central Africa.

The evidence of the telephone intercepts and the Investigation Commission’s inquiry mutually corroborate each other and give a coherent explanation of the causes of the conflict that broke out in South Sudan on 15 December 2013.

The conflict was caused by an attempted coup planned by principals – Riek Machar, Taban Deng Gai and Brig. Gen. Peter Lim Bol Badeng.

The report further states that evidence from telephone intercepted communications reveal that Riek Machar as First Vice President of the Transitional Government of National Unity plotted a coup to seize power on 8 July 2016 to fulfil his ambition to become the President of South Sudan.

At a press conference in Juba on Monday, President Kiir assured people who will be found capable of committing atrocities in the two wars of the presidential pardon.

He said that the release of the information can allow people to move forward with permanent peace building that will create harmony and prosperity.