South Sudanese security services detained a critic of the government in Juba on Sunday, according to his political party and family.
Jacob Thon Dhiei is a political activist and secretary general of the African People’s Congress, a youth-led opposition party.
A senior member of the party, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Radio Tamazuj on Wednesday that Jacob Thon was called for a meeting by national security officials at Rainbow Hotel, where he was forced into a vehicle and taken to the national security agency’s main detentions centre, known locally as “Blue House.”
“Thon was deceived to come for a meeting at Rainbow Hotel. So he went and they kidnapped him there. We have confirmed that he is now in Blue House,” he said.
“Since January, they have been trying to take him to some places so that they can detain him, but they failed two times, and this third time, they succeeded in kidnapping and detaining him,” he added.
According to the party official, Thon’s arrest is connected to his political activities.
“We are calling on the leadership of Internal Security Bureau to either charge him with any offence or release him because this prolonged detention without charges is illegal according to our constitution,” he said.
Mangor Malou, a family member, said Jacob Thon was arrested by members of the National Security Service over his political engagement.
“Yesterday morning, I went to the Blue House to request them to let me see Thon, but I was denied access. Someone from within told me that Thon was in detention, only that he is not in good health because what most people say is that he was tortured,” Malou said.
Edmund Yakani, the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), which promotes civil society values, said: “I know Jacob Thon. He is a young political leader. He was arrested at Rainbow Hotel in Juba, near the US Embassy. He is an outspoken young politician and critic of the system in terms of demanding open political space for public political engagement on the political transition from violence to peace.”
The civil society activist condemned the detention of the government critic, saying the move violates the country’s constitution.
“This act of illegal arrest of Jacob Thon is a total violation of the recently ratified and signed United Nations Convention on Political and Civil Rights and the bill of rights in the South Sudan constitution and the recent decision of the presidency on abolish of any arrest without issued warrant of arrest,” he said.
Yakani called on the security authorities to either release the detainee or produce him before a competent court if he committed an offence.
“This illegal arrest of Jacob Thon represents a great threat towards holding the expected 2024 national general elections. CEPO is calling on the party or parties behind the illegal arrest of Jocab Thon to ensure his safety and security,” he said.
Radio Tamazuj could not reach government officials for comment.
South Sudan’s constitution requires detainees to be produced before a court within 24 hours. Despite this, authorities routinely detain suspects for long periods, including during investigations and subsequent trials.