The arrests occurred as thousands of residents gathered along major roads and marched toward Aweil Freedom Square to welcome the president during his visit to the state capital. According to the youths, security officers intervened after spotting placards demanding the release of political detainees.
One of those detained, Ajith Deng Ajith, popularly known as “Kuku,” told this publication on Wednesday that he was arrested while carrying a placard bearing the messages, “Release Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel” and “Where is Bol Mel?”
Deng said he was detained at the Military Intelligence headquarters in Mathiang at around 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday.
“I am being held here in Mathiang, where I am still under investigation. They did not physically abuse me, but they confiscated my phone,” he said. “Later in the evening, they allowed me to return home and instructed me to report back the following morning, which I did.”
Despite his detention, Deng maintained his call for the release of political detainees.
“I appeal to the President to release political opponents and other detainees whose whereabouts or legal status remain unclear,” he said. “Our primary appeal is for the pardon of Benjamin Bol Mel.”
Deng said investigators repeatedly questioned him about his actions, but he stood by his position.
“I told the investigators that if someone is held incommunicado for a long period without charges, relatives and supporters will naturally seek answers,” he said. “People either want them charged in court or released.”
As of Wednesday morning, Deng said he remained at the Mathiang facility while awaiting the outcome of the investigation.
Another youth, who identified himself only as Angelo, said he was also briefly detained after displaying messages calling for Bol Mel’s release.
“They took me into a vehicle and asked who was behind the campaign,” Angelo said. “I told them there was no network and that I was acting on my own because I wanted freedom for Bol Mel. After that, one of them instructed the others to release me.”
The incidents come amid growing calls from some youth groups in Northern Bahr el Ghazal for the release of political detainees. Several young people had hoped President Kiir’s visit would result in a pardon or general amnesty for some of those currently in detention.
It remains unclear whether the president will respond to the appeals, as calls for the release of detainees continue to surface ahead of the country’s anticipated elections.
