The Aweil High Court in South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal State has sentenced the Aweil Youth Union Chairperson, Tito Awen Bol, to a one-month jail term and a fine of SSP 50,000.

Awen was detained along with two senior youth members during an annual meeting at the Railway Hotel in Aweil town. It is reported that the other two members were released the same day in the evening.

Early on Tuesday, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Police authorities confirmed that Awen was detained for assaulting a policeman deployed to quell disputes among youth groups in the area.

Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Police Commissioner, Major General Philp Madut Tong, confirmed Awen’s conviction for attacking a policeman and causing public annoyance.

“Tito Awen received a one-month imprisonment sentence and an SSP 50,000 fine as directed by the judge,” he said. “His conviction under Sections 121, 177, and 186 of the 2008 South Sudan Penal Code pertains to charges of threatening public security, causing public annoyance, and assaulting a police officer in the line of duty.”

For his part, Deng Chok Yai, the Deputy Chairperson of the Aweil Youth Union, raised a concern that the arrest, charging, and sentencing of the youth leader was politicized. He questioned the legality of the expedited court procedures carried out by state authorities.

“He was sentenced on Wednesday morning by the Aweil High Court in a manner that took us by surprise and without clear procedures. This raises concerns that the case has been politicized,” he charged.  “If it had not been politicized, he might not have been imprisoned. It is worth noting that Tito Awen is accused of causing annoyance, but he did not commit any offense.”

Meanwhile, Peter Diing, the Executive Director of Wider Aid and Development Agency (WADA-SS) and a representative of the civil society in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, passionately emphasized the importance of fairness.

“We are earnestly appealing for the release of Tito Awen, the Chairperson of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Youth Union. We believe his immediate release is crucial,” he said. “The government accused him of engaging in unlawful activities, and once it was confirmed that he indeed acted unlawfully, the proper procedures should have been followed to address the situation.”

“If the individual has already been fined and served their prison sentence, they must be released promptly,” Diing added.

He said Awen should be treated in line with established human rights procedures and not like a foreigner.