The demonstration, which took place on Wednesday, September 25, 2025, came a day after the court in Juba adjourned the high-profile case to September 29.
Protesters, largely residents of the PoC site, called for Machar’s immediate release, the full implementation of the 2018 peace agreement, the withdrawal of Ugandan forces from South Sudan, and the establishment of a hybrid court to address war crimes committed during the conflict.
In response, Stephen Mayiel, the Director General of the Ministry of General Education and Instruction in Unity State, issued an order suspending the teachers with immediate effect.
The order, dated September 25, 2025, did not explicitly link the suspensions to the protest, but the timing has sparked criticism and speculation that the educators are being punished for the demonstration.
Among those suspended are Magai Maluel of Liberty Primary, Gatkuai Mawich of Lich Primary, Stephen Maduot Giel of Upper Nile Primary, Simon Gatduel of BNFA Primary, James Leak Matai of Maal Primary, William Keah of Unity Primary, Riak Pech of Eden Primary, and Ruot Gatwech of Naath Primary.
Others include Dang Wichar Nyak of Lake No Alternative Learning Program (ALP), James Riak Duol of Naam ALP, Charles Koang of Motherland ALP, Peter Mawich Gatchang of Lich IDP ALP, Jack Chany Kolong of Future ALP, Kom Riak Turkuai of Nyuel ALP, Both Pech Thot of Nile ALP, and Angelo Maduok Kang of Freedom ALP.
Secondary school heads affected include Gabriel Chuol Kuol of West Nile Secondary, John Gatluok Koang of Konkeel Secondary, Tang Dok Tuong of Bentiu Unity Secondary, Dor Gai Patai of Bentiu Standard Secondary, Bijany Kuol Jiok of Bentiu Complex Secondary, Tap Pech of Bentiu Emma Secondary, Meet Ran Chuol of Lich IDP Secondary, and Schedule Hon Deng of Eden Secondary.
The suspension drew a sharp reaction from Machar’s camp. Puok Both Baluang, Acting Press Secretary in the Office of the First Vice President and a senior official of the SPLM-IO, condemned the move as a politically motivated attempt to suppress dissent.
“It has come to our attention that the government of Unity State, through its Ministry of General Education and Instruction, has indefinitely suspended 24 headteachers from various schools in the internally displaced persons (IDP) camp in Bentiu,” Baluang said in a statement.
“This directive, issued under the authority of Governor Riek Bim Top, is a deeply concerning response to a peaceful demonstration.”
He clarified that the closure of schools on the day of the protest was ordered by the PoC Community High Committee, not the suspended headteachers, and accused the state government of scapegoating the educators.
“Blaming the educators for this action is a misrepresentation of the events and appears to be a tactic to suppress dissent,” he added. “We condemn this act in the strongest possible terms and call for the immediate and unconditional reinstatement of the suspended headteachers.”
Baluang further urged the state authorities to respect fundamental freedoms guaranteed by South Sudan’s Transitional Constitution, including the right to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression, and freedom of association.
The indefinite suspension of the 24 educators has raised fresh concerns about shrinking civic space in Unity State, where tensions remain high amid Machar’s ongoing trial.
