JUBA — Security forces in South Sudan’s Lakes State on Monday arrested Deputy Governor Dr. Isaiah Akol Mathiang and several senior political officials allied with First Vice President Riek Machar in Rumbek town.
Dr. Akol, SPLM-IO Chairperson in Lakes State, was arrested together with MP Ater Akolde, State Minister of Animal Resources Gai Maghok, and SPLM-IO Youth League Chairperson Mandela Maciek.
Their arrest came after denouncing the airstrikes against Nasir civilians, the “illegal detention” of its members, and the deployment of Ugandan troops in the region.
Puok Both Baluang, acting press secretary in the office of the first vice president, confirmed that the deputy governor was arrested on Monday morning.
“Yes, it’s true. Yeah, today, in the morning hours. We were not notified of the reason, but we believe it might be in connection with the press release that the SPLM-IO in Lake State issued yesterday,” said Bulang.
For his part, Macha’s close supporters and former Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) chairperson Dut Majokdit urged the state government to free the jailed officials in Rumbek.
Meanwhile, William Koji Kirjok, Lakes State caretaker information minister, said the deputy governor was arrested for criticizing the governing structure he is a part of.
“He was arrested this morning by the security of the state. The reason for the arrest, I think you got what is written here. He was arrested yesterday about the situation in Nasir,” Koji said.
According to Koji, his remarks were extremely offensive and provoked retaliation from the families of those who lost loved ones in Nasir.
“He was also provoking those who love; you know, he was provoking the parents or the family of those who lost their loved ones in Nasir. And of course, the security cannot tolerate such an approach because the state is to maintain peace,” he said.
The clashes erupted in mid-February between the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces and armed civilian groups in the country’s Nasir County.
Tensions escalated after the government announced plans to deploy new forces to Nasir County to rotate troops stationed in the area for several years.
The SSPDF commander, Major General Majur Dak, and 30 of his soldiers were killed during a United Nations evacuation operation in Nasir.
Kiir’s administration detained SPLA-IO acting Chief of Staff, General Gabriel Duop Lam, and Petroleum Minister Puot Kang Chol, alongside several senior military officials allied with Machar.
