The court in Torit has released three Monyiemiji (local youth) who were convicted over a recent protest that gave an ultimatum to the NGOs and UN agencies to evacuate from Torit, Ikotos, and Lopit of Eastern Equatoria State.
The court on Thursday last week convicted six young men to three months in prison or a fine of 120,000 SSP each. Three of them paid their fines and were released but the other three remained in jail until the community contributed and secured their release early this week.
In a press statement seen by Radio Tamazuj, the Monyiemiji press unit said, "We, the Monyiemiji, would like to inform the people of Eastern Equatoria State (EES) and indeed of Torit, Ikwoto and Lopa Counties that our Monyiemiji youth who were imprisoned more than two weeks ago were finally released from Torit state prison on Tuesday, July 13, 2021.”
It adds, “In this regard, we would like to thank most sincerely: – (a) our families, friends, advocates, Torit Diocese leadership and the communities of Torit, Ikotos and Lopa Counties for their hard–work, support, patience, and understanding during these challenging moments. (b) The National Prison Service of South Sudan (NPSSS) here in Torit for their care and protection.”
The Monyiemiji further recognized the youth across South Sudan for supporting their move towards sustaining just employment in the country.
Oredi Fredy, who was among the last three to be released speaking to Radio Tamazuj insisted that the charges brought against them were false.
“To be honest we the Monyiemiji are not convinced that the charges given to us are the right ones, for no reason, one the national security accused us of storming their headquarter in Torit that is why they convicted us, so the second charge is that we demonstrated and during our demonstration, we did not harm anybody or even attack any compound or any NGO or UN,” he adds.
Fredy said the youth will not relent in the fight for equal employment opportunities in the state until the issue is resolved.