An MP representing Unity State’s Leer County in the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), Malek Cook-Dwach, has raised concern over the detention of Adok Payam administrator James Bichiok Gatluak Thiech by SPLM-IO forces.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, the SPLM member revealed that Bichiok was arrested on November 26 by SPLM-IO party officials.
“This message is to inform the public about what is happening at the moment in Leer County. On November 26, 2024, a payam administrator was arrested, tortured and detained at his office in Adok,” he said.
Cook-Dwach said the payam administrator was ordered to stop tax collectors from performing their duties but declined, prompting his arrest.
The lawmaker claimed that on November 27 after the arrest, First Vice-President and the leader of SPLM-IO Dr Riek Machar issued a directive to his commanders in the area to release Bichiok. However, the order was ignored.
“Dr Machar has directed them to release the payam administrator. However, this order was defied by the commanders. There is high tension in Adok payam,” he claimed.
“I am calling for peace between the youth who have called for the immediate release of their colleague, the relatives and the intellectuals,” he stressed.