The Zande community in South Sudan is appealing the attention of President Salva Kiir, to order the release of its paramount chief Wilson Peni Rikito, who has been arrested by the security.
The exact cause of the act prompting the arrest of such a prominent community leader remains unclear. The neither state government nor opposition has issued any statement explaining the cause.
Local residents and government critics have, however, provided conflicting accounts. Some attributed the cause to his opinions interpreted by some members of the community to mean promotion of former western Equatoria governor, Joseph Bangasi Bakosoro, who himself protested the arrest of the community leader.
“Our traditional leader, a respected personality among the Azande had been arrested by the SPLA security. In every culture, there is one person respected all even the government and has immunity from any arrest by any institution. Chief Wilson Peni Rikito is the paramount chief of Yambio county and representing all chiefs in Western Equatoria. If he commits any mistake, he cannot be arrested by any other person without the permission from the president” Bakosoro said on Monday.
Bakosoro said the chief is the last and respected grandson of king Gbudue and should be given all the respect he deserves. He described the arrest as heartbreaking among the Azande community.
”I am appealing to the president to do all he can to release the chief. Even in an autocratic government, during Colonial period, such a caliber high level figure cannot just be arrested by anybody”
He continued: “The Arrest Chief Wilson indicates a lot in South Sudan. I know that president know very well that touching chief Wilson is touching and destroying the social fabrics of the Azande community. That cannot be explained in any justifiable way the former governor”.
Bakosoro said Ugandan Museveni should be an example to South Sudan leaders for he respects traditional leaders of his country even if they differ with him.