The spokesperson of the Unity State government has rubbished rumors making rounds and allegations on social media platforms that Governor Joseph Monytuil Wejang is under house arrest in Juba.
Last Friday after the regular cabinet meeting, Presidential Affairs Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin told the press that President Salva Kiir had summoned Governor Monytuil back to Juba shortly after the latter departed for Bentiu.
“His Excellency President Salva Kiir recalled the governor of Unity State, Dr. Joseph Monytuil to report Juba,” Dr. Marial said at the time. “He (Monytuil) was here (Juba) of course but went back.”
However, David Gai Jiejor, the acting information minister in Unity State on Wednesday told Radio Tamazuj that the information alleging that Governor Monytuil was placed under house arrest by the National Security Service is fake.
“These are unfounded allegations circulating on social media that the governor is under house arrest,” he said. “The governor has just left Unity State for Juba today (Wednesday). This information circulating on social media and other media outlets is not true and is unfounded.”
According to Minister Gai, Governor Monytuil was called to Juba by the presidency to give a brief about the general security situation and flooding in the state.
“The governor has been in Unity State all this long but he has arrived back to Juba Wednesday and is not under any sort of house arrest. These are allegations from those who are against the governor,” he insisted. “He is not under any arrest and I want to confirm to you that the governor is not under any pressure. He was not summoned by the way but he was called by the presidency and it is the right of the presidency to call any governor of the states to appear before the presidency to discuss relevant issues.”
Unity State Governor Joseph Monytuil has come under increased pressure and criticism since the extrajudicial execution by firing squad of three South Sudan People’s Movement/ Army (SSPM/A) rebels in the state in August. The three executed military officers were identified as Major General Nyuon Garang, Major General Pur Ruop Kuol, and Brigadier General Gatluak Majok.
The three, who were forcefully repatriated from Al-Fula town in Sudan’s West Kordofan, were accused of attacking Mayom town on 22 July and killing the then county commissioner, James Chuol Gatluak, and eleven others.