Yel Deng Nguel, a development advisor in South Sudan’s Northern Bahr al Ghazal state, has been released from prison after three months of detention without charge.
Yel was first detained at Wunyiik military headquarters in Northern Bahr al Ghazal before he was moved to Juba where he was held by military intelligence.
His arrest came amid a political power struggle in Northern Bahr al Ghazal between the caretaker governor Kuel Aguer Kuel and his predecessor Paul Malong, who retains control of the state SPLM party despite taking a national military position in Juba.
Yel is allied with Kuel, who was controversially impeached by Malong supporters and is in exile in Juba.
The advisor was officially released on Monday following a broader initiative that began earlier March when several prominent figures from his Abiem East community in Northern Bahr al Ghazal state lobbied high ranking government and military officials.
The lobbying effort included attempts to convince Malong, who is the army chief of general staff, and Defense Minister Kuol Manyang Juuk to intervene. Relatives and family members also put pressure on President Salva Kiir.
Speaking today, Yel said he was released without charge and never told what he did. He said he was simply asked to accept the release and put behind the past and open a new page and move on.
“I am not bitter with anybody. I accepted the release and I look forward to working together as comrades so that we can take this country out of the difficulty in which it is at the moment,” he said.
Related:
N Bahr al Ghazal advisor “in detention for no reason” (20 Mar.)
SPLM leading member demands justice for detained advisor (17 Mar.)
N Bahr el Ghazal advisor takes Defense Ministry to court over arrest (13 Feb.)
‘I’d rather die than go to Juba’: official arrested in Aweil (11 Jan.)
N Bahr el Ghazal governor rejects demand to sack advisor (9 Jan.)
Politician detained at Wunyiik military base (7 Jan.)