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AWEIL - 10 Apr 2021

N. Bahr el Ghazal governor orders arrest of youth activist

Activist Samuel Garang Dut [Photo: Facebook]
Activist Samuel Garang Dut [Photo: Facebook]

Northern Bahr el Ghazal State governor, Tong Akeen Ngor, on Friday ordered security forces to apprehend activist Samuel Garang Dut for allegedly defaming him. 

Garang is an outspoken critic who freely expresses opinions on poor governance, leadership, lack of service delivery, and implementation of the revitalized peace agreement.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, the Northern Bahr-el-Ghazal State police spokesman, Captain Guot Guot Akol, confirmed that they arrested Garang on Friday as directed by the governor. 

“The case was originated by the governor who instructed somebody to follow the case on his behalf. So he went to the public prosecutor and issued a warrant of arrest, we don’t have any business on the matter and if you need more information, you can contact the office of the governor,’’ Capt. Guot said.

The youths who went to visit their detained colleague were frustrated when the police barred them. One of them, Deng Athian, said Garang was detained illegally without due process. 

“There is no reason whatsoever for someone to be taken into the cell without being interrogated, interrogation comes first before somebody is detained. We have been stopped from accessing our fellow youth by some guys who are in civilian clothes and I don’t know what role they are playing at the police station,’’ Athian said.

He said that Garang is a brave activist who expresses opinions about the current state leadership.  

On his part, Peter Diing Ngong, the Executive Director for Wider Aid and Development Agency (WADA) said, "The youths are vulnerable and I say the civil society organizations should support the youths to minimize their problems in South Sudan. And I also call for the release of this young man from the prison as soon as possible because he is innocent.’’