South Sudan’s National Security Service (NSS) has held a senior official from the National Petroleum and Gas Corporation (Nilepet) in detention for more than a month, his family revealed Thursday.
Lual Jiel Mangok, a relative of the detained individual, told Radio Tamazuj that Angony Lual Angok, a director in Nilepet’s Audit Department, was detained after being summoned by national security agents in Juba on December 4.
“On December 4, NSS officers arrived at Mr. Angony’s workplace, Nilepet headquarters in Juba. He was taken to the Blue House, the NSS detention facility in Jebel, and has been detained there ever since,” Lual said.
According to Lual, the family has been unable to communicate with Angony or visit him, as authorities have provided no information regarding the charges or investigation. “No formal investigation has been conducted, nor has there been a court referral to clarify what crime he is accused of. As a family, we are deeply disturbed by his detention and call for his prompt appearance in court rather than arbitrary detention,” Lual added.
Lual also expressed frustration that despite reassurances from NSS officers about Angony’s safety, the family remains in the dark about the reasons for his detention. “We have not been informed why Angony was arrested or detained,” Lual said.
The relative said the family is particularly affected by the prolonged detention, as Angony has young children who are left without support during his absence. “The National Security Service should clarify why Angony was arrested. If he has committed a crime, he should be taken to court for a fair trial. It’s been over a month, and the family is suffering because of this unjust detention,” Lual emphasized.
Angony is also known for his local political activities and serves as secretary general of a group in Juba calling itself “I Support Salva Kiir”. Prior to his arrest, he was contesting for the chairmanship of the Korok community of Aweil in Juba.
Human rights organizations have repeatedly urged the South Sudanese government to limit the NSS’s powers to intelligence gathering, as stipulated in the Transitional Constitution. The Constitution mandates the agency to focus on information collection, analysis, and providing advice to relevant authorities.
In recent months, the NSS has reportedly detained several individuals linked to former NSS head Gen. Akol Koor Kuc.
The agency also continues to detain Emmanuel Monychol, the editor-in-chief of Juba’s daily English-language newspaper, The Dawn.
In July 2024, the South Sudanese National Legislative Assembly amended the National Security Service Act, further expanding the agency’s powers. The controversial amendments, passed by a vote of 274-114, grant the NSS the authority to arrest and detain individuals without a warrant, a move that rights groups warn could exacerbate ongoing abuses.