Malong’s group debunks links with detained activist

JUBA, JANUARY 7^TH 2023 (SUDANS POST) – South Sudan’s rebel group, South Sudan United Front/Army (SSUF/A) led by former army chief Gen. Paul Malong Awan Anei has denied claimed by government security operatives that Bahr el Ghazal-based activist Samuel Garang Dut has links with them.

This comes days after government security agencies arrested and detained Garang for allegations that he has links to the rebel leader who has been fighting the government of President Salva Kiir Mayardit since 2018.

In a statement extended to Sudans Post, Colonel Philip Deng Kuol, the SSUF/A military spokesman, said that his group does not have any relation or link to the detained activist and urged the government in Juba to protect activist in order to carry out their work.

“The leadership of South Sudan United Front/Army under Gen. Paul Malong Awan has learnt this unfortunate arrest of an activist Samuel Garang Dut made by South Sudan National Security Service accusing him of having a link with General Malong,” he said.

“First of all, remember SSUF/A is an armed group under an umbrella of NSSSOG who are not yet to reach the peace deal with the government of South Sudan, so how is it possible for us to have our active members operating inside Juba?,” he added.

The senior opposition military officer further said that the arrest is a part of a plan by the government to oppress activists who he said are exposing the government to the international community.

“You know, this is just an intended plan designed by SSNS in order to harm that activist because he is showing their activities to an international view,” he said.

“In addition, the leadership of South Sudan United Front do hereby distance itself from having a link with detained activist as alleged. And the government in Juba should make sure civil right activists are given a room to criticize the performance of the government as it’s happening in a democratic world,” he added.

The statement further called “upon an Amnesty International to exert pressure on Juba to unconditionally release Cde. Garang to his family.”