Rumbek East County Commissioner, Zechariah Malual Anyuon, confirmed on Tuesday that the incident took place while the parish priest of Pacong Catholic Church, Rev. Stephen Mangar Machar, was travelling to Thonaduel County headquarters.
“The soldiers who beat the priest are now under arrest at Mabor-duang military barracks, and investigations are ongoing,” Malual said. He stressed that respected figures such as priests, bishops, doctors, and humanitarian workers should never be subjected to such abuse.
Speaking to reporters, Rev. Machar narrated the events that unfolded on Sunday around 4:00 p.m.
“I was going to Thonaduel to visit a bishop when I encountered the soldiers from Mabor-duang barracks at Bahr el Naam. They stopped me, insulted me, and accused me of being a criminal simply because I was wearing a cloth face mask,” he explained.
The priest said the soldiers demanded his cap and argued among themselves about who should take it. “I told them that no one has the right to seize another person’s property by force. A sergeant major then intervened, but instead of calming the situation, he told the soldiers to ‘take me up,’” Machar recalled.
According to him, the soldiers tried to force him into their vehicle. “When I resisted, they pushed me, and I fell, sustaining injuries to my hand and neck. One soldier even slapped me hard on the neck,” he said.
He added that bystanders and a doctor, who was also detained by the soldiers, pleaded with them to stop, identifying him as a priest. “It was only then that the soldiers backed off, and I was able to seek help,” Machar said. He later reported the incident to another military commander, who denied responsibility, saying the soldiers belonged to Division 12 under the direct command of Lakes State Governor Rin Tueny Mabor.
Machar is currently receiving treatment at Rumbek State Hospital.
Civil society activist Daniel Laat Kon condemned the attack, describing it as “an unfortunate and unacceptable abuse of power.”
“This is a man of God who was simply carrying out his duties. If there are accusations against a priest—or any citizen—due process of law should be followed instead of harassment and assault,” Laat said.
He urged the county authorities to pursue justice. “This case must go to court so that the perpetrators are held accountable. Accountability must begin with such incidents if we are to stop lawlessness in the security sector,” he added.
The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) also joined the call for a thorough investigation and accountability.
