South Sudan’s Inspector General of Police Pieng Deng Kuol apologized to the leadership of the South Sudan Bar Association for security agents who stormed and interrupted the lawyers’ elections by threatening and confiscating ballot materials.
The head of the Bar Association’s elections committee James Albino Ajawin told Radio Tamazuj the committee held a meeting with Kuol at his office where they clarified the procedures that led to the interruption of the elections.
“The new development is that we went to meet the inspector of police because we have been striving to know the problem that led to the interruption of the elections. He told us that he did not give any orders to stop the elections,” he said.
“The inspector is a statesman and he promised us to protect the next elections,” he added.
However, Ajawin said the confiscated ballot boxes have not yet been returned by security officials.
He said out the elections committee will soon hold a meeting to set a new date for a vote.
South Sudan’s National Security Service on Monday interrupted an election of the South Sudan Bar Association and arrested a reporter working for Gurtong covering the event.
The association was carrying out an election for leadership positions when National Security Service personnel came to the venue and asked the lawyers if they had permission to carry out the election.
Related:
1-days lawyer strike after National Security raids (10 Feb.)
South Sudan security raid lawyer lawyer’s association meeting, arrest journalist (9 Feb.)
Lawyers meeing in Wau halted by security personnel (9 Feb.)
Photo: Bar Association elections in Juba, 9 February 2015