Paramount Chief Wilson Peni Rikito, who was arrested in Yambio nearly a month ago, is still under detention with his health deteriorating, sources said today.

Former Governor of Western Equatoria Joseph Bangasi Bakosoro said that there are reports that the community leader is growing thin in custody with efforts to secure his release going without success.

''Up to now the chief is still in detention and his condition is not good. I understand he has grown thin and as a head of a community the feeling in prison is bad and traumatized,’' Bakosoro said.

“The community is trying to negotiate his release but since we do not have a government that listens, it is not yet possible to hear any progress,” the former governor said.

Peni is paramount chief of the Zande, one of South Sudan’s largest tribes.