The local administration in Central Equatoria State’s Morobo County has called on the SPLA-IO leadership in the Panyume to release three youths who were arrested last Thursday week in the county’s Lowinya area.

Wani Bosco, the county’s executive director, told Radio Tamazuj Monday that the overall security situation in the county is fine except for the detention of three youths by the SPLA-IO in Panyume for objecting to illegal logging in their area

“We are okay in Morobo but three youths were taken by the SPLA-IO and detained because of illegal logging which was taking place in their village in Mayimba without the knowledge of the landlords and the respective government department,” he said. “Those detained are aged between 18 and 34 and are Alex Lobonga Clement, Kenedy Clement Samuel, and Robert Yakani Tabayi. Up to now, they are still being detained by the SPLA-IO in Panyume.”

The official demanded the unconditional release of the trio because he said they were innocent and were protecting the natural resources and that the county would always work for peace, security, and social cohesion among the people.

“We urge the SPLA-IO administration to release these youths unconditionally because they are innocent and were protecting the resources of this county, state, and nation. Our recommendation in all the dialogues is to promote peace, security, and development,” Wani said. “There are other administrative weaknesses and they are complaining that the government has not been giving them food, but these are administrative issues which can be handled respectfully. Let them differentiate between administrative issues and the youth in the area.”

Meanwhile, Justoson Victor, a civil society activist in the region, stated that it is not proper to arbitrarily detain young men and that they must be released or legally processed if they have committed any crime.

“It is important to know that government departments are divided and we have a forestry department and the army or unified forces also have their work and must not meddle in the work of the forestry,” he said.  
“Protecting the natural resources in the county and country needs a collective responsibility from all citizens but such arrests of civilians hinders social cohesion.”