Police in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state detained at least five members of the ruling SPLM in Aweil on Monday after a physical confrontation involving senior party officials.
The confrontation involved members of the SPLM State Liberation Council and senior party officials, including Deputy Chairperson Angelo Akech Akeen, Secretary General Karbino Thiep Tong and Secretary for Political Affairs Karbino Unguec Anguei, according to James Jok Lual, who supports the group opposing the party leadership.
“There was a physical fight between the five members of the State Liberation Council and the party officials,” Jok told Radio Tamazuj. “The protesting members were picked up by the police after the incident.”
Garang Kuac Ariath, Malong Anyuon and Joseph Deng Akot were among members who have opposed the appointment of Thiep as state secretary general, arguing that he was not a member of the 51-member SPLM State Liberation Council.
Jok said former Northern Bahr el Ghazal governor Simon Ober Mawut appointed Thiep as state secretary general even though he had previously served on the 35-member SPLM Aweil County Liberation Council.
He said Thiep’s appointment followed the removal of Joseph Deng Akot from the state-level council, which he said is contrary to the party’s procedures.
“According to the party constitution, the SPLM State Secretary General should be a member of the State Liberation Council,” Jok said.
Lt. Col. Madut Ngong Aleu, spokesman for the South Sudan National Police Service in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, said police would provide further information after the state police commissioner meets the governor.
“After the police commissioner returns from a meeting with the state governor over the current SPLM party tensions, I will update you if there is anything for public consumption,” Madut said.
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