Kakwa Community demand fair trial of seven leaders arrested in C. Equatoria
By John Actually
April 25, 2913 (BOR) – Members of the Kakwa Community in Juba have demanded a fair investigation and trial of seven chiefs who were arbitrarily arrested at night from Yei River County in Central Equatoria State and taken to an undisclosed location in Juba.
Those arrested are; the Executive Chief of Yei Payam, Peter Said; Executive Chief of Jansuk, Faustino Aligo, Chief Abel Sebit of Minyori Boma, Chief Peter Aringu of Rwonyi Payam, Ismail Luate of Gumunu Boma, the Chairperson of Kakwa Community in Yei Thomas Wani and Manoa Aligo a retired politician.
According to a press release from the Kakwa Community in Juba, the six chiefs and one elderly politician from Yei River County were picked up from their residence by state security agents on the night of Sunday April 14 and driven to Juba.
The release quoted a statement by the Commissioner of Yei River County David Juma Augustine in an interview with Radio Miraya on April 16 at 4:00 pm explaining that they have arrested on suspicion of supporting the M23 rebels in DRC.
Speaking to the press on behalf of the community the representatives at South Sudan’s National Assembly condemned the arrest and detention of the chiefs and warned to move a motion in parliament over the matter.
“We request the Governor of Central Equatoria state to unconditionally release the five chiefs, the Chairperson of Kakwa Community and the elderly politician. The Kakwa Community is also refuting the statement of the Commissioner of Yei River County David Juma Augustine,” stated the press release.
Paul Yoane Bonju Chairperson of the Kakwa Community in Juba and a Member of Parliament for Yei River County said that those arrested should either be released or taken to a court of law and charged with a crime.
“We wanted these chiefs to be released to catch up with the agriculture season and as a community we feel and speak within the law that, if our chiefs are found in an issue which endangers this country, then let them be taken to fair courts of law” Bonju said.
Bonju said, the Kakwa from the three neighbouring countries of South Sudan, Uganda and DRC use to have a relationship called ‘Kakwa Salia Musala’ symbolising the cultural and social ties between these communities.
“These associations are cultural groupings which have nothing to do with to politics and connections to foreign politics” he added.
“We as Kakwa, have noticed that the false allegations against our Chiefs and communities is politically motivated around the politics of land and resources in Yei River County. It was unfortunate that these were the same tactics used during the former Sudan, in which many of our people disappeared and their graves not known until today”, Bonju added.
Moses Bidal the Member of Parliament for Yei Town Payam said, it is unprofessional for the commissioner as the head of the security in the county to condemn people without substantial evidence.
“We as Kakwa denounce this allegation unless there is substantial evidence that our chiefs are involved in supporting rebels, and we want those behind this allegation to prove it before the courts of law” Bidal said.
“This is a nation with a constitution and the detention of these elders for more days is unconstitutional for our government to allow it”, he said.
The Transitional Constitution states that a person can not be held longer than 24 hours before being charged in court of law or being released. .
“We are seeking for the intervention of Human Rights Watch both nationally and internationally to know that there is intimidation of citizens by the authorities and the government”, Bidali added.
He said, the community has also demanded the immunity of the Commissioner to be taken away so that he testifies over the arrest of the chiefs. They also asked that land distribution and re-planning in Yei county be halted until a system is in place.
Moses Idoru, the Chairperson of Employees Justice Chamber, said the commissioner should have known the arrest of the chiefs.
“This type of arrest is what we don’t want because our people have never picked up arms or committed any crime to deserve such treatment” said Idoru.
“We are deeply sorry for what has happened in this system, psychologically all the people are tortured and physically all are tormented as our elders are exposed to diseases and difficult condition, and we reject such kind of unnecessary arbitrary arrest and detention”, he added.
“We are appealing for intervention from the UN, Human Rights groups and government and office of the president to stop such unlawful arrest” he added.
However, Commissioner David Juma denied responsibility for the arrest of the five executive chiefs, one community leader and retired politician.
Speaking on Saturday April 20 in a live talk show on Spirit FM in Juba, Juma clarified that, these individuals were taken by the National Security at the state level without his notice.
“I even asked the Governor why these people were being picked from Yei without my knowledge, therefore how and why these people were picked from here is totally the responsibility of the state authorities” he said.
“In reality, I did not hear neither do I see any report about my people suspected of revolts in the neighboring DRC, my people in Yei County are peace lovers.”
Juma said the county authorities were not in the picture as to why the men were arrested but were investigating the matter.
“I call upon the other chiefs and the community members to be patient as we find out the truth after the investigations. These people are under the care of the state government and they will be released after the reality is found”, he added.
He also explained that the state Governor Clement Wani Gonga will address people in Yei and will be in position to answer why these people were arrested.
“These people were not arrested in connection to land issue but they were arrested due to security reasons”, he said.
The Governor constituted an investigation committee to handle the matter on April 16, which is expected publish a report within 21 days.
(ST)