Authorities in South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal State have released activist Dut Kuot Akok on bail, weeks after his arrest in mid-January.
Kuot was detained by the National Security’s Internal Security Bureau (ISB) following a series of Facebook posts criticizing the state governor, Simon Uber Mawut.
In his posts, Kuot accused Governor Mawut of failing to deliver on his promises during his first six months in office. He also blamed the governor for not imposing a curfew ahead of deadly anti-Sudanese protests in the state.
Kuot’s lawyer, Nyang Chut Ajiing, told Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday that his client was released on 24 February after multiple efforts to secure his freedom.
“My client, Dut Kuot Akok, was released on bail on 24 February,” said Chut. He added that the case had been transferred to another judge, though he did not disclose the names of the judges involved.
“The case has been referred to another judge… so there is no result at the moment,” Chut explained.
Bulis Nguak Deng, a representative of civil society organizations in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, also confirmed Kuot’s release.
“He was released on bail,” Nguak said, adding that civil society groups are closely monitoring the case.
“The case is still ongoing, and as civil society organizations, we are following the next developments,” he stated.
Peter Diing Ngong, executive director of the Wider Aid and Development Agency (WADA-SS), welcomed the decision to grant bail. He called for greater collaboration between the government and civil society to address citizens’ concerns.
“Our request has been considered by the government, and we are working hand in hand to ensure that the concerns of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State citizens are heard,” Diing said.
Although the country’s constitution requires that any detainee be brought before a judge within 24 hours, this rarely happens in practice.