Two US senators have called for the release of the detained political activist Peter Biar Ajak.

Biar, a political commentator and prominent activist, was arrested on July 28 by national security officials at Juba Airport while preparing to fly to Aweil today morning.

“We are deeply concerned about the reported detention of South Sudanese peace activist Peter Biar Ajak by South Sudan’s National Security Service after his criticism of the direction of the South Sudanese peace process.  We are also troubled by reports that President Salva Kiir personally ordered a crackdown on government critics,”said a statement released by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Chris Coons (D-DE).

The two senators said the views of the South Sudanese people are a critical component of any successful and legitimate peace process in South Sudan.

They pointed out that Peter Ajak’s arrest at a time when the United States and its Troika partners, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and the African Union are encouraging a truly inclusive process undermines the credibility of the government’s claim that it wants peace.  

“We also continue to be gravely concerned by the forced disappearances of both Dong Samuel Luak, a well-respected South Sudanese human rights lawyer and activist, and Aggrey Idri, a vocal government critic and member of the opposition, from Nairobi in January of 2017, who were reportedly detained by South Sudan’s National Security Service without charge. South Sudanese authorities have failed to acknowledge their detention, bring charges, or release them,” says the statement.

The two senators called on the government of South Sudan to release Peter Ajak and other political prisoners immediately and respect the rule of law and fundamental freedoms that are necessary pillars of peace in South Sudan.