ABYEI — The Aweil Community of South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, living in the disputed Abyei Special Administrative Area, on Monday appealed for financial assistance to secure the release of its four inmates serving jail sentences in Abyei Prison.
Mr. Tong Kuot Tong, spokesperson for the Aweil Community in Abyei, stated in a phone interview with Sudans Post on Monday that the inmates were convicted of various minor crimes, including theft.
Kuot mentioned that those who owe money have debts of 50,000 SSP.
“We sat with the area’s officials in Abyei, including Molana Mathiang Kuach and an MP, Matem Achen, who was briefed about the occurrences in Abyei. And we tabled the issue of the convicts who need support,” said Kuot.
He said the inmates owe amounts ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 SSP to various individuals and appealed to well-wishers for financial assistance to help settle these debts.
“We see it as more imperative to help those convicts whose charges are minor, like those who are convicted of money that they owe,” he said.
“If we have active associations in the region and beyond. They could support these brothers in prison in Abyei.”
He mentioned that the community has been assisting local residents in Abyei, including returnees, which has left them unable to provide support for the inmates.
Kuot recognizes the challenging economic conditions affecting the country. However, he stated that the community associations in Abyei are actively seeking solutions to secure the release of convicts currently incarcerated in the region.
