SPLM-IO condemns ‘militarized campaign to intimidate’ group

JUBA – South Sudan’s main armed opposition Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO) led by First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny has condemned what it calls a militarized campaign to intimidate its members in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state.

This comes after two senior members of the SPLM-IO including the group’s deputy chairperson in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state were briefly detained by the military intelligence of the 3^rd SSPDF infantry division at Wunyiik military base.

In a statement, Angelina Aweng Abraham, the chairperson of the SPLM-IO in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state said the SPLM-IO officials were arrested on suspicion that they belongs to the South Sudan United Front (SSUF/A) led by General Paul Malong Awan.

“The SPLM-(IO) Members from Aweil Centre are being detained in Wunyiik 3^rd Division infantry headquarters for an allegation for being members of the SSUF/A led by Gen. Paul Malong Awan, which was not the intention,” she said in the statement dated August 18 and seen by Sudans Post.

Aweng who is also the deputy speaker of the Northern Bahr el Ghazal state parliament said the arrest was directed by the head of security in the state in what she said is an attempt to intimidate the SPLM-IO and members of the public vying to join it.

“All these arrests and detentions are decided and directed by the head of the security for Northern Bahr El Ghazal State government to provoke the situation and threats to silence the opposition members not to speak on the current situation in Northern Bahr El Ghazal, the random arrest was organized intentionally to scare those who are interested to join the SPLM IO to advance the reform Agenda under the charismatic Leader His Excellency Dr. Riek Machar Teny (PhD),” she said.

The senior government and opposition official further condemned the arrest and urged the military leadership of 3^rd infantry division to issue an explanation into why they arrested the senior SPLM-IO officials and also apologize.

“In light of the above, the SPLM-IO leadership in Northern Bahr El Ghazal State – Aweil, condemns this unrealistic action by military intelligence of 3^rd Division infantry in the strongest terms possible and ask the authorities that are responsible for this behavior to issue statement or an apology to the public for the awareness to be known that it was unintentionally,” she said.

She further “reiterated our commitment towards the implementation of the Agreement in Letter and spirit for the realization of Sustainable Peace and Political settlement in the country.”