The wife of the Western Bahr el Ghazal state security advisor has called on the authorities to release her husband, who was reportedly arrested by security agents on Thursday for allegedly issuing an illegal order to reopen checkpoints.
On Thursday, Marko Peter Achor, the state security advisor, was reportedly detained following clashes between joint security forces and SPLA-IO forces in Kuanya, also known as Kubri-Ngab.
Mr. Marko is a member of the opposition SPLM-IO led by First Vice President Riek Machar.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Saturday, Akur Nicola, the wife of Marko Peter Achor, explained that her husband was arrested in Wau on Thursday after leaving for his office that morning.
“My husband left home on Thursday morning and did not return that day. Later, his brother called to ask why his phone was not going through. When I inquired, he said he had tried calling but was unable to reach him,” she explained.
She continued, “The following day, I was informed that my husband had been arrested and taken to Juba on Thursday, February 6. I still have not been able to contact him, as his phone remains unreachable.”
Akur has appealed to the government and human rights organizations to intervene and ensure that her husband either faces court proceedings or is released.
“I am calling on the government and civil society to ensure Marko’s release. He was appointed by the president, and if he has committed a crime, he should be brought before a court,” she said.
Calls to government officials in Western Bahr el Ghazal State went unanswered.
The arrest of Security Advisor Marko comes amid rising tensions between the South Sudanese army and the opposition SPLA-IO in the state over removal of illegal checkpoints.